Parliament Question: Impact of Quality Control Orders on MSMEs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6269 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 IMPACT OF QUALITY CONTROL ORDERS ON MSMEs 6269. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY: Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has engaged in consultations or interactions with industry bodies, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) associations and other stakeholders to address concerns arising from delays and compliance challenges in the implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and the outcomes of such engagements; (b) the details of the steps undertaken to expand and upgrade accredited testing and certification infrastructure, align Indian standards with international norms and reduce certification timelines and costs; (c) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilised for strengthening the implementation and enforcement of QCOs across the country, State-wise; and (d) whether the Government has undertaken measures including simplification or rationalisation of QCOs to encourage greater MSME participation, attract investments and prevent unintended adverse impacts on supply chains and consumer prices and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (d): The Government of India through Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumers Affairs, Food & Pubic Distribution implements, phase- wise, Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the line Ministries with exemptions / relaxations for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to ensure that QCOs do not disrupt domestic production. Before, notifying the QCOs by the line Ministry consultation with Stakeholders including various Industry Associations, MSME Associations is carried out. The Ministry of MSME actively takes up concerns of MSMEs with Ministries/Departments concerned and BIS to ensure ease of implementation and compliance. BIS has informed that the Testing infrastructure has been expanded through BIS and its recognized laboratories, and over 93% standards have been harmonized with ISO/IEC norms wherever the corresponding standards exist. To support MSMEs by strengthening testing capabilities and supporting the effective implementation of QCOs, BIS and National Test House (NTH) have improved accessibility of laboratories, simplified certification procedures, automated renewals, fee concessions, relaxation of in-house laboratory requirements etc.and supporting overall ease of doing business. These measures helped in reduction of timelines and compliance costs. No separate or dedicated funds for QCO implementation have been allocated. Some of the Financial and Technical relaxations being provided to MSMEs are as follows:: 2 :  To support MSMEs, financial incentives are provided by BIS in annual minimum marking fee with concession of 80% (for Micro scale units), 50% (Small scale units) and 20% (Medium scale units). An additional concession of 10% is also provided to units which are either located in north-east areas or women entrepreneur MSME units.  Erstwhile mandatory requirement of in-house laboratory has been relaxed and for all manufacturers especially MSME units.  For Domestic Manufacturers, Operations of product certification activities and processes involved across all the Branch Offices (BOs) in the country have been digitised. An Online platform “Manak online” is already available for product certification activities right from the stage of submission of application to award of certification including all communications, payment, queries through the portal itself. The renewal of certifications has also been made automatic without any human intervention. The manufacturer can simply submit the renewal application at his convenience and after the online submission, the renewal endorsement gets generated extending the validity of certification.  BIS issues product manuals as guidance documents for conformity assessment as per various Indian Standards. These product manuals also incorporate Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) specifying controls and checks to be exercised by the manufacturer. The ‘Levels of Control’ given in the SIT are made recommendatory in nature. The manufacturer has the choice to define their own control unit/batch/lot and their own Levels of Control and inform the BIS.  Targeted awareness and training programmes namely (i) Manak Samvaad (ii) Manak Manthan and (iii) Capsule courses for the industry at localised level with sector specific focus have also been initiated by BIS focusing on Standards, measures to implement them and obtain BIS certification.  In addition; to strengthen the testing infrastructure, National Test House (NTH) is offering a blanket discount of 15% on testing fees to all registered MSME customers across all NTH laboratories nationwide. *****