Steel QCO Amendment 2026 BIS Certification for Steel & Steel Products Under ISI Mark Scheme

• The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 was issued by the Ministry of Steel on June 20, 2026, amending the original QCO 2024.
• Serial numbers 23 and 129 of Schedule 1 are deferred for 3 years; serial numbers 51, 52, and 53 are deferred until March 31, 2027.
• All steel manufacturers selling or distributing covered products in India must obtain BIS ISI Mark certification under Scheme I.
• Non-compliance with BIS compulsory certification for steel products attracts penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Steel QCO Amendment 2026: BIS Certification for Steel And Steel Products

The Steel QCO Amendment 2026 (S.O. 3300(E), dated June 20, 2026) modifies the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. It defers enforcement of 5 IS standards listed at serial numbers 23, 51, 52, 53, and 129 of Schedule 1. All other covered steel products continue to require mandatory BIS ISI Mark certification before sale in India. Manufacturers must comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, under the ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme I).

What Is the Steel QCO Amendment 2026?

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, was issued under the authority of sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (No. 11 of 2016). The Central Government, after consulting the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), published this amendment in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on June 22, 2026, with S.O. number 3300(E).

This order amends the parent order — the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 — originally published on August 29/30, 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E). The Amendment Order 2026 temporarily suspends enforcement of specific Indian Standards listed in Schedule 1 of the 2024 QCO, giving affected manufacturers additional time to prepare for compliance.

In simple terms, if you are a steel manufacturer, importer, or trader in India, this update directly affects which products need BIS ISI Mark certification right now and which ones have been given a deadline extension.

Key Changes in Steel QCO Amendment 2026 at a Glance

Note: The specific IS numbers for serial numbers 23, 51, 52, 53, and 129 are listed in the full Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Manufacturers must cross-check their product category against that schedule for exact applicability.

Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024: The Parent Framework

The Steel QCO Amendment 2026 builds on the original Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Under the 2024 QCO, the Ministry of Steel mandated BIS certification (ISI Mark) for a comprehensive list of steel and steel products under Schedule 1. This brought steel products firmly under the compulsory certification framework governed by the BIS ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme I).

The 2024 QCO covered a wide range of products including structural steel, flat products, long products, pipes, tubes, wire rods, and specialty steel items. Each product in Schedule 1 was mapped to a specific Indian Standard (IS) number issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Manufacturers, importers, and sellers were required to hold a valid BIS license to affix the ISI Mark on their products.

Why Was the Steel QCO 2024 Issued?

The Quality Control Order for steel was introduced to ensure that all steel and steel products sold in India meet minimum quality and safety benchmarks. India's steel sector is one of the largest in the world, and substandard steel poses risks in construction, infrastructure, automotive, railways, and defence applications. The QCO framework under the BIS Act 2016 ensures that only ISI-marked products that have been tested and certified can enter the market legally.

BIS ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme I): How It Applies to Steel Products

The Bureau of Indian Standards operates multiple certification schemes. For steel and steel products under the Steel QCO 2024 and its Amendment 2026, the applicable scheme is Scheme I — the ISI Mark Scheme. Under this scheme, a manufacturer must obtain a BIS license before they can legally manufacture and sell covered products in India.

What Is BIS Certification for Steel Products?

BIS certification for steel products is a mandatory quality assurance process where the Bureau of Indian Standards verifies that a manufacturer's product meets the relevant Indian Standard (IS). Once certified, the manufacturer can apply the ISI Mark on the product. The BIS ISI Mark on steel products signals to buyers, contractors, and end users that the product has been independently tested and certified.

IS Standards for Steel Products Under Compulsory BIS Certification

The Steel QCO 2024 Schedule 1 maps each steel product category to a specific Indian Standard (IS) number. Manufacturers must comply with the relevant IS standard to obtain BIS ISI Mark certification. Below are major IS standards commonly covered under the Steel QCO framework:

Important: The above list is illustrative. The complete and legally binding list of IS standards under the Steel QCO 2024 is provided in Schedule 1 of the original gazette notification S.O. 3716(E) dated August 29/30, 2024. Manufacturers must refer to the full Schedule 1 and verify whether their product's corresponding IS number falls under the deferred items (serial numbers 23, 51, 52, 53, 129) or is currently enforceable.

Who Needs BIS Certification for Steel Products in India?

The Steel QCO 2026 (read with the 2024 parent order) makes BIS ISI Mark certification mandatory for the following entities if they deal in covered steel and steel products in India:

• Domestic manufacturers producing steel products listed in Schedule 1 of Steel QCO 2024
• Importers bringing covered steel products into India for sale or distribution
• Foreign manufacturers exporting covered steel products to India (Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme)
• Traders and distributors selling steel products in the Indian market

Entities that manufacture for export only, or deal in categories specifically deferred under the 2026 Amendment Order (S.O. 3300(E)), may have a temporary or full exemption depending on the deferral period. Always verify the specific IS number of your product against the current enforcement status.

Eligibility Criteria for BIS ISI Mark Certification — Steel Products

To apply for BIS certification (ISI Mark) under the Steel QCO framework, a manufacturer or importer must meet the following eligibility conditions:

• The applicant must be a legally registered business entity — proprietorship, partnership, LLP, private limited, or public limited company.
• The manufacturing facility must be located in India (for domestic manufacturers) or abroad (for foreign manufacturers applying under the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme).
• The product to be certified must correspond to a valid Indian Standard (IS) listed in Schedule 1 of the Steel QCO 2024.
• The manufacturing unit must have adequate in-house quality control infrastructure as specified in the relevant IS standard.
• The applicant must have testing facilities — either in-house or access to a BIS-recognised/empanelled laboratory — capable of testing the product against the applicable IS standard.
• For foreign manufacturers, an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) registered with BIS is mandatory.

Documents Required for BIS ISI Mark Certification — Steel Products

The following documents are typically required when applying for BIS certification for steel and steel products under the ISI Mark Scheme:

BIS may request additional documents based on the specific IS standard and product category. All documents must be submitted through the BIS online portal.

Step-by-Step BIS Certification Process for Steel Products

Getting BIS ISI Mark certification for steel products is a structured process. Here is how it works:

Step 1: Application Submission

Log in to the BIS online portal and submit Form V along with all required documents and the application fee. Select the correct IS standard for your product as listed in Schedule 1 of the Steel QCO 2024.

Step 2: Application Scrutiny

BIS officers review the application documents for completeness and correctness. Deficiency letters are issued if any document is missing. You typically have 30 days to respond to a deficiency notice.

Step 3: Grant of Provisional License (if applicable)

In certain cases, BIS may grant a provisional licence pending a physical plant inspection. This allows the manufacturer to begin production under trial certification.

Step 4: Factory Inspection

A BIS officer visits the manufacturing facility to verify that the plant layout, equipment, in-house lab, and quality control practices match the documents submitted. The inspector collects product samples for testing.

Step 5: Product Testing

Product samples collected during inspection are sent to a BIS laboratory or BIS-recognised laboratory for testing against the applicable Indian Standard. Test results must show full conformity.

Step 6: Grant of License

If the inspection and test reports are satisfactory, BIS grants the manufacturer a formal ISI Mark licence. The licence number must be displayed on all certified products along with the ISI Mark.

Step 7: Ongoing Surveillance

BIS conducts periodic surprise inspections and product sample testing throughout the licence period. Non-conformances can result in show-cause notices, suspension, or cancellation of the licence.

BIS Certification Fee for Steel Products — ISI Mark Scheme

BIS certification fees for steel products under Scheme I include the following components. Fees are subject to revision by BIS and should always be verified at the official BIS portal before application.

MSME units and small manufacturers may be eligible for fee concessions under BIS's simplified procedure scheme. Refer to the official BIS fee schedule at: https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/product-certification-fee/?lang=en

License Validity and Renewal for BIS ISI Mark — Steel Products

A BIS ISI Mark licence for steel products is valid for one year from the date of grant. Manufacturers must initiate the renewal process before the licence expiry to ensure uninterrupted legal use of the ISI Mark.

If a licence lapses, the manufacturer must stop using the ISI Mark immediately and apply afresh. Selling products with an expired BIS licence is a violation of the BIS Act, 2016, and can attract penalties, prosecution, and confiscation of goods.

Benefits of BIS ISI Mark Certification for Steel Products

Obtaining BIS ISI Mark certification for steel products under the QCO framework is not just a legal requirement — it brings real commercial and reputational advantages:

• Legal Compliance: Avoids penalties, prosecution, and product seizures under the BIS Act, 2016.
• Market Access: ISI Mark is mandatory for sale in India — without it, covered products cannot enter the market legally.
• Government Tenders: Most government and public sector procurement specifications require ISI-marked steel.
• Consumer Trust: The ISI Mark is one of India's most recognised quality symbols, building brand credibility.
• Export Advantage: BIS-certified manufacturers often find it easier to meet international quality requirements.
• Reduced Rejection Rate: The quality discipline needed for certification improves production quality, reducing returns and customer complaints.
• Competitive Differentiation: ISI-marked steel commands better pricing and preferred vendor status in large projects.

What Happens If You Don't Comply With Steel QCO 2026?

Non-compliance with the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order (as amended in 2026) is a serious legal matter. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 provides for stringent penalties for violations:

• Imprisonment up to 2 years, or a fine of up to INR 2 lakh, or both for manufacturing or selling non-ISI marked covered products.
• For repeat offences, penalties increase to imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to INR 5 lakh.
• Products may be seized, confiscated, and destroyed by enforcement authorities.
• BIS and enforcement agencies regularly conduct market surveillance and surprise raids on steel product dealers and construction sites.

It is critical for manufacturers, importers, and traders to maintain updated knowledge of which products are currently enforced versus deferred under the Steel QCO 2026 Amendment Order.

How to Apply for BIS ISI Mark Certification for Steel Products Online

BIS has fully digitised the ISI Mark certification process. Here is how to apply online:

• Visit the BIS official portal
• Register as a new applicant or log in if you already have an account.
• Select 'Product Certification' and then 'Apply for ISI Mark Licence.'
• Choose the relevant IS standard from the dropdown that matches your steel product.
• Fill in Form V with complete details about your manufacturing unit, product, and quality system.
• Upload all required documents (scanned copies in specified format and size).
• Pay the application fee online via the payment gateway.
• Submit the application and note the application reference number for tracking.
• BIS will scrutinise your application and schedule a factory inspection.
• After successful inspection and testing, your ISI Mark licence will be issued digitally.

Official Gazette Reference — Steel QCO Amendment 2026

Frequently Asked Questions