QCOs On Steel Imports Put-on Hold For 6 Months

New Delhi, Jul 10 (KNN) The Union Ministry of Steel has delayed the implementation of its June 13 Quality Control Order (QCO) on finished steel imports by four months, following concerns from smaller importers. 

The move aims to prevent disruption to shipments that were contracted or dispatched before the regulation was announced.

The order required all imported finished steel products to be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as part of the government’s broader effort to enforce stricter quality checks. 

However, during a consultation with stakeholders on July 7, the ministry agreed to temporarily relax this mandate.

The revised notification, which built upon an earlier QCO issued in August 2024, also extended BIS certification requirements to include raw materials used in steel production. 

But the government clarified that these new rules would not apply to input materials used by overseas steel mills.

The Steel Ministry acknowledged concerns over shipments already in transit, stating that an appropriate timeline would be considered to avoid port clearance disruptions.

Industry bodies such as the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) urged a rollback, citing risks to around Rs 150 crore in advance payments. 

They argued that the sudden change left MSMEs exposed to financial losses and logistical challenges, especially since obtaining BIS certification can take up to four months.

According to the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), India recorded 0.661 million tonnes of finished steel imports in May 2025, with Korea and China being the top suppliers. The auto and auto parts sector accounted for 28 per cent of the imports.

Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy emphasized that the QCO seeks to ensure fairness between domestic and foreign producers and prevent the entry of substandard steel. 

He assured that concerns raised during the consultation were addressed and stressed the need for strong quality standards to support India’s industrial growth.

(KNN Bureau)