New Delhi: In an attempt to ease compliance pressures on industry and ensure uninterrupted supply of key steel grades, the steel ministry has put on hold the enforcement of 55 Indian Standards under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024.
The move follows recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms (HLC-NFRR), which had highlighted the risk of price escalation in downstream sectors and the need for sufficient material availability for MSMEs and consumer-oriented industries.
The ministry said it had taken a holistic view of the regulatory impact, factoring in the domestic industry’s continuing dependence on imports for certain specialised grades, along with the need to prevent unfair trade practices, protect small steel manufacturers, and push the broader agenda of self-reliance. After reviewing these considerations, the Centre has notified the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025.
Under the revised notification, enforcement of the QCO on 42 Indian Standards listed in Schedule 1 — largely covering grades used extensively in engineered products, automobiles and consumer durables — has been suspended for three years.
In addition, enforcement of the QCO on another 13 Indian Standards linked to specialty steel under the PLI 1.2 category has been deferred for one year. These standards typically relate to niche applications requiring high strength, hardness, dimensional accuracy and thermal stability.
Industry executives view the phased suspension as a measure that provides breathing space for both producers and end users while standards compliance frameworks are strengthened. For the ministry, the decision reflects a balancing act — supporting domestic capability development without constraining supply to critical user sectors.