BIS QCO FOR THE ASBESTOS OR FIBRE CEMENT BASED PRODUCTS (SHALLOW CORRUGATED ASBESTOS CEMENT SHEETS)

OVERVIEW

8^th OCTOBER 2023

The Indian Government, specifically the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, has introduced a new rule called the Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023. This rule, authorized by section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, allows the Central Government to regulate things in the best interest of the public.

The order has two key aspects. Firstly, it mentions that certain products listed in a table must follow specific Indian Standards mentioned in the same table. Additionally, these products need to have a special mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which can be obtained through a license as outlined in the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

According to the BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement based products (shallow corrugated asbestos cement sheets) this rule does not apply to products made in India but intended for export. Also, small enterprises, defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, have a nine-month grace period from the date of the rule's announcement. Micro enterprises have an even longer grace period of twelve months.

The Bureau of Indian Standards is in charge of ensuring that the products meet the required standards and enforcing these rules. If anyone violates these rules, they can be penalized under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. As per BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement-based products (shallow corrugated asbestos cement sheets) this order mandates that such products must adhere to the corresponding Indian Standard 13008:1990, specifically focusing on (Shallow Corrugated Asbestos Cement Sheets).

In short, the Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, is a set of regulations ensuring that certain products follow specific standards, and the Bureau of Indian Standards oversees and enforces these regulations.

TABLE

QCO - Quality Control Order