BIS QCO FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES FOR DOMESTIC WATER HEATING (ELECTRIC IMMERSION WATER HEATERS)

OVERVIEW

8^th OCTOBER 2023

The Government of India, operating through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, has issued a significant regulation leveraging the authority granted by section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. This newly enacted regulation, officially titled the Electrical Appliances for Domestic Water Heating (Quality Control) Order, 2023, is scheduled to take effect six months after its formal publication in the Official Gazette.

According to this BIS QCO for electrical appliances for domestic water heating (electric immersion water heaters), items explicitly outlined in the Table are required to adhere to the corresponding Indian Standard mentioned in the same Table. To signify compliance, these goods or articles must bear the Standard Mark, obtained through a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, following Scheme-1 of Schedule-II to the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Notably, this order excludes goods or articles manufactured domestically for export purposes.

Specific timelines have been established for the implementation of this order concerning micro and small enterprises, as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006. For micro enterprises, the order becomes applicable twelve months from the date of publication, while for small enterprise; it takes effect after nine months from the publication date.

As per this BIS QCO for electrical appliances for domestic water heating (electric immersion water heaters), every electrical device meant for heating water at home must meet a particular quality standard specified in the Indian Standard known as 368:2014 (Electric Immersion Water Heaters). The Bureau of Indian Standards is assigned the pivotal role of being the certifying and enforcing authority for the goods or articles specified in the Table. Any contravention of the provisions of this order will be subject to penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. This regulatory initiative is geared towards ensuring stringent quality control measures for electrical appliances used in domestic water heating.

By aligning with established standards and promoting fair trade practices, the order aims to safeguard public interests and contribute to the overall welfare of consumers.

TABLE         

QCO - Quality Control Order