BIS QCO FOR THE ASBESTOS OR FIBRE CEMENT BASED PRODUCTS (SILICA-ASBESTOS-CEMENT FLAT SHEETS)

OVERVIEW

8^th OCTOBER 2023

The Government, specifically the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, has issued a crucial directive known as the Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023. This directive, given power by section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, is designed to safeguard public interests by ensuring the quality of asbestos or fibre cement-based products.

The order will be officially known as the Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, and it becomes effective six months from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. The primary goal is to guarantee that goods or articles mentioned in the order follow the specific Indian Standard stated in the order. According to the BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement based products (silica-asbestos-cement flat sheets) they must also display the Standard Mark, and this can be obtained by acquiring a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards. This process operates under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

There are, according to the BIS QCO for the asbestos or fibre cement based products (silica-asbestos-cement flat sheets) , some exceptions to this order. It doesn't apply to goods or articles produced domestically, specifically for export. Additionally, small enterprises, as defined by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, have a grace period of nine months from the date of notification, and micro enterprises have a grace period extending to twelve months.

To ensure compliance with these standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards has been designated as the authority responsible for certifying and enforcing the rules. Violating any of the provisions of this order could lead to penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

This order mandates that such products must adhere to the corresponding Indian Standard 13000:1990, specifically focusing on (Silica-Asbestos-Cement Flat Sheets). Basically this order reflects the government's commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in asbestos or fibre cement-based products, promoting safety and reliability in these essential materials.

TABLE

QCO - Quality Control Order