BIS QCO FOR THE ASBESTOS OR FIBRE CEMENT BASED PRODUCTS (FIBRE REINFORCED CEMENT PRODUCTS – LONG CORRUGATED OR ASYMMETRICAL SECTION SHEETS AND FITTINGS FOR ROOFING AND CLADDING)

OVERVIEW

8^th OCTOBER 2023

In accordance with the authority vested in it by section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, the Central Government has recently enacted the Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023. This order stipulates that goods or articles as specified in the Table must adhere to the corresponding Indian Standard, displaying the requisite Standard Mark, which can only be obtained through a license granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

According to the BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement based products (fibre reinforced cement products long corrugated or asymmetrical section sheets and fittings for roofing and cladding), there are certain exceptions; the order does not apply to goods intended for export, and small as well as micro-enterprises, as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, enjoy specific grace periods before full compliance is required.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has been duly appointed as the certifying and enforcing authority for the designated products outlined in the Table. As per mentioned in the BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement based products (fibre reinforced cement products long corrugated or asymmetrical section sheets and fittings for roofing and cladding) failure to comply with the provisions of this order will result in penalties being imposed under the relevant sections of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.  According to the BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement based products (fibre reinforced cement products long corrugated or asymmetrical section sheets and fittings for roofing and cladding) the overarching goal of this legislative move is to ensure stringent quality control measures for Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products, thereby aligning with established standards, safeguarding consumer interests, and promoting overall public welfare.

TABLE

QCO - Quality Control Order