Indian government withdraws QCO certification for seven additional petrochemicals

The Government of India has withdrawn 14 BIS quality control orders covering key petrochemicals, polymers, and fibre inputs. The move is intended to improve raw material availability, reduce compliance burdens, and support MSMEs in downstream manufacturing sectors reliant on imported and domestically sourced intermediates.

The Government of India has revoked 14 quality control orders (QCOs) previously issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards, removing mandatory certification requirements for a range of industrial raw materials. The affected products include terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol, polyester yarns and fibres, and widely used polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, ABS, and polycarbonate. The changes will take effect upon formal notification, according to official statements.

The decision, announced by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, reflects policy recalibration in response to industry feedback regarding supply constraints and procedural bottlenecks. BIS, India’s national standards authority, has issued 191 QCOs covering 773 products as part of a broader effort to raise product quality benchmarks across domestic and imported goods.

By eliminating mandatory BIS certification for the specified inputs, the government aims to streamline compliance processes, reduce duplication in testing, and accelerate approvals for manufacturers and importers. The policy shift is expected to ease cost pressures for MSMEs operating in packaging, textiles, moulding, and other downstream manufacturing segments.

For businesses and investors, the move signals a balancing of quality enforcement with competitiveness objectives. Improved access to petrochemical feedstocks and polymers could enhance supply chain flexibility, support export-oriented industries, and moderate input cost volatility in sectors closely linked to consumer goods, construction materials, and industrial production.