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Dated: 21.11.2025

Steel Import regime relaxed for Importers amid regulatory changes

The steel industry plays a pivotal role in the development of infrastructure and industrial growth. Recognizing the importance of quality control in steel and steel products, the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, introduced the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. This order aims to ensure that steel products manufactured, imported, and sold in India meet stringent quality standards as prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In this blog, we will delve into the details of the 2024 Order, its amendments in 2025, and the implications for stakeholders.

Key Highlights of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024

1. Objective: The primary goal of the 2024 Order is to regulate the quality of steel and steel products in India to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance with BIS standards. This is crucial for public interest and industrial development.
2. Scope: The Order applies to steel and steel products listed in Schedule 1 and goods or articles specified in Schedule 2. However, steel products manufactured domestically for export are exempt if they conform to foreign buyer specifications.
3. Conformity to Standards:
   • Steel products listed in Schedule 1 must conform to the corresponding Indian Standards (IS) mentioned in the Order.
   • Products must be accompanied by a Test Certificate bearing the Standard Mark issued by BIS-certified manufacturers.
4. Compulsory Use of Standard Mark:
   • All steel products listed in Schedule 1 must bear the Standard Mark under a BIS license.
   • Sub-standard or defective products must be disposed of as scrap to prevent violations of the BIS Act, 2016.
5. Enforcement Authority: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is designated as the certifying and enforcing authority for the steel products covered under the Order.
6. Penalties: Any contravention of the provisions of the Order is punishable under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016.
7. Amendments and Revisions: Any updates to the Indian Standards specified in the Order will automatically apply from the date of publication by BIS.

Amendments to the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2025

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, introduced on 20th November 2025, brought significant changes to the 2024 Order. Here are the key amendments:

1. Enforcement Delays:
   • IS standards and titles listed under specific serial numbers in Schedule 1 (e.g., 24, 37, 48, 55, etc.) will not be operative for 3 years from the date of publication in the gazette.
   • IS standards and titles listed under other serial numbers (e.g., 49, 50, 60, 64, etc.) will not be operative for 1 year from the date of publication in the gazette.
2. Exemptions for Imports:
   • Certain ITC-HS Codes listed in Annexure I are exempted from mandatory compliance with the QCO for steel products imported with a Bill of Lading dated on or before 31st March 2026.

Transfer of Work from DPIIT to Ministry of Steel

In a significant move, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry transferred the responsibility for iron and steel products under Chapter 72 (4 HSN Codes) and Chapter 73 (250 HSN Codes) of the HSN Classification from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to the Ministry of Steel. This transfer includes:

• Withdrawal of 13 QCOs issued by DPIIT, effective from the date the Ministry of Steel notifies corresponding QCOs.
• Administration of Minimum Import Price (MIP) imposed by DGFT on specific products such as screws and roller chains.
• Transfer of other industry development work, such as the Foundry Development Council, to the Ministry of Steel.

Exemptions for Imports

The 2025 Amendment introduced exemptions for certain ITC-HS Codes listed in Annexure I. These exemptions apply to steel products imported with a Bill of Lading dated on or before 31st March 2026. Some of the exempted standards include:

• IS 10325:2000 (Square Tins for Ghee, Edible Oils, etc.)
• IS 1161:2014 (Steel Tubes for Structural Purposes)
• IS 1239 (Part-1):2004 (Steel Tubes and Tubulars)
• IS 13997:2014 (Drums, Large Open Top)
• IS 14756:2024 (Stainless Steel Utensils)
• IS 15155:2020 (Bar or Wire Wrapped Steel Cylinder Products)
• IS 1783 (Part 1 and 2):2014 (Drums, Large Fixed Ends)
• IS 17875:2022 (Stainless Steel Seamless Pipes)
• IS 17876:2022 (Stainless Steel Welded Pipes)
• IS 2141:2005 (Hot Dip Galvanized Stay Strand)
• IS 2552:1989 (Steel Drums)

Comparative Analysis: 2024 Order vs. 2025 Amendment

Aspect	2024 Order	2025 Amendment
Implementation Timeline	Immediate effect for most standards.	Delayed enforcement for specific IS standards.
Exemptions	No exemptions for imports.	Exemptions for imports with Bill of Lading before 31st March 2026.
Scope	Covers steel and steel products under Schedule 1 and 2.	Expanded exemptions for specific ITC-HS Codes.
Authority	BIS as the certifying and enforcing authority.	No change.
Penalties	Punishable under Section 29 of BIS Act, 2016.	No change.

Implications for Stakeholders

1. Manufacturers:
   • Must ensure compliance with BIS standards for steel products listed in the Order.
   • Non-compliance may lead to penalties and disposal of sub-standard products as scrap.
2. Importers:
   • The 2025 Amendment provides temporary relief for certain ITC-HS Codes, allowing imports with specific Bill of Lading dates to be exempt from QCO compliance.
3. Exporters:
   • Steel products manufactured for export are exempt from the Order if they meet foreign buyer specifications.
4. Industry Associations:
   • The transfer of work from DPIIT to the Ministry of Steel centralizes the administration of iron and steel products, potentially streamlining processes and policies.
5. Consumers:
   • The Order ensures that steel products available in the market meet high-quality standards, enhancing safety and reliability.

Comparative Table of IS Standards Amendments

The amendments in 2025 introduced deferred enforcement for specific IS standards. Below is a comparative table highlighting the IS standards and their respective enforcement timelines:

IS Standards with 3-Year Deferred Enforcement

These standards will not be operative for 3 years from the date of publication in the Gazette, providing extended time for compliance.

Sl. No.	IS Standard	IS Title
24	IS 5872: 1990	Cold Rolled Steel Strips (Box Strappings)
37	IS 3975: 1999	Low Carbon Galvanized Steel Wires, Formed Wires, and Tapes for Armouring Cables
48	IS 6527: 1995	Stainless Steel Wire Rod
55	IS 4409: 2023	Specification for Ferronickel
68	IS 1812: 1982	Carbon Steel Wire for the Manufacture of Wood Screws
69	IS 2507: 1975	Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs
73	IS 3885 Part-1: 1992	Steel for Laminated Springs (Railway Rolling Stock) Part 1: Flat Sections
74	IS 3885 Part-2: 1992	Steel for Laminated Springs (Railway Rolling Stock) Part 2: Rib and Groove Sections
75	IS 4223: 1975	Steel Wire for Umbrella Ribs
76	IS 4224: 1972	Steel Wire for Staples, Pins, and Clips
77	IS 4397: 1999	Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Strips for Ball and Roller Bearing Cages/Retainers
79	IS 6902: 1973	Steel Wire for Spokes
81	IS 7226: 1974	Cold-Rolled Medium, High Carbon, and Low Alloy Steel Strip for General Engineering
82	IS 7557: 1982	Steel Wire (Up to 20 mm) for Cold-Forged Rivets
83	IS 8052: 2006	Steel Ingots, Billets, and Blooms for Springs, Rivets, and Screws
87	IS 9962: 1981	Steel Wire for Needles
88	IS 14331: 1995	Steels for High-Temperature Bolting Applications
90	IS 4882: 1979	Low Carbon Steel Wire for Rivets for Use in Bearing Industry
95	IS 10632 (Part 2): 1983	Non-Magnetic Stainless Steels for Electrical Applications: Binding Wire
96	IS 10632 (Part 3): 1983	Non-Magnetic Stainless Steels for Electrical Applications: Sheets, Strips, Plates
97	IS 11169 (Part 2): 1989	Steels for Cold Heading/Cold Extrusion Applications: Stainless Steel
98	IS 5651: 1987	Steels for Pneumatic Tools
99	IS 9516: 1980	Heat Resisting Steel
101	IS 12045: 1987	Alloys Used in Electrical Resistance Metallic Heating Elements
104	IS 11946: 1987	Soft Magnetic Iron Strips
105	IS 11947: 1987	Soft Magnetic Iron Rods, Bars, Flats, and Sections
106	IS 963: 1958	Chrome Molybdenum Steel Bars and Rods for Aircraft Purposes
107	IS 4454 (Part 4): 2001	Steel Wires for Mechanical Springs – Part 4: Stainless Steel Wire
112	IS 2589: 1975	Hard Drawn Steel Wire for Upholstery Springs
113	IS 3298: 1981	Mild Steel Rivet Bars for Ship Building
114	IS 4072: 1975	Steel for Spring Washers
115	IS 8510 (Part II): 1977	Tinned Steel Wire for Banding of Armatures and Rotors: Magnetic Banding Wires
116	IS 8510 (Part III): 1977	Tinned Steel Wire for Banding of Armatures and Rotors: Non-Magnetic Banding Wires
117	IS 8563: 1977	Mild Steel Wire for the Manufacture of Split Pins
118	IS 8564: 1977	Steel Wire for Nipples for Spokes
119	IS 8565: 1977	Specification for Heald Wire
120	IS 8566: 1977	Steel Wire for Reeds
123	IS 9485: 1980	Cold-Reduced and Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet for Porcelain Enamelling
124	IS 10794: 1984	Mild Steel Wire for Cotter Pins
125	IS 12262: 1988	Trapezoidal Steel Wire for Spring Washers
150	IS 1469: 1993	Ferromolybdenum – Specification
151	IS 1466: 1985	Specification for Ferro Vanadium

IS Standards with 1-Year Deferred Enforcement

Sl. No.	IS Standard	IS Title
49	IS 6528: 1995	Stainless Steel Wires
50	IS 6603: 2001	Stainless Steel Bars and Flats
60	IS 3748: 2022	Tool Steels – Specification
64	IS 16585: 2016	Magnetic Materials – Specification for Fe-Based Amorphous Strip Delivered in Semi-Processed State
86	IS 9476: 1980	Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Carbon Steel Razor Blades
92	IS 6529: 1996	Stainless Steel Blooms, Billets, and Slabs for Forging
93	IS 9294: 1979	Cold-Rolled Stainless-Steel Strips for Razor Blades
94	IS 10631: 1983	Stainless Steel for Welding Electrode Core Wire
102	IS 14652: 1999	18 Percent Nickel Maraging Steel Bars and Rods
128	IS 4432: 1988	Specification for Case Hardening Steels
132	IS 13387: 1992	Tool Steel Forgings for Metal Forming – Specification
135	IS 3930: 1994	Flame and Induction Hardening Steels – Specification
137	IS 13352: 1992	Stock for Forgings Produced from Continuously Cast Blooms, Billets, and Slabs – Specification

Conclusion

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024, along with its 2025 Amendment, marks a significant step in regulating the quality of steel products in India. By enforcing BIS standards, the government aims to protect public interest, ensure safety, and promote industrial growth. The amendments provide temporary relief for certain standards and imports, reflecting the government’s flexibility in addressing industry concerns. The transfer of work from DPIIT to the Ministry of Steel further consolidates efforts to streamline the administration of steel products.

As the steel industry continues to evolve, these measures will play a crucial role in ensuring that India remains a global leader in steel production while maintaining high-quality standards. Stakeholders must stay updated on these regulations to ensure compliance and leverage the opportunities they present.

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Source: Ministry of Steel

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