Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced a Quality Control Order in which they mandated ISI Mark for electrical accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023.
This order was issued on 01 January 2024 and will be effective from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.
But have you ever wondered what it means and why it’s so important?
Let’s delve into the world of quality control orders and understand why the ISI mark is made mandatory for these products.
What is an ISI Mark?
First things first, let’s talk about the ISI mark. ISI stands for Indian Standards Institute, which is now known as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The ISI mark is a certification mark for industrial products in India. It certifies that a product conforms to certain quality standards set by the BIS, ensuring that it is safe, reliable, and of good quality.
Quality Control Orders (QCOs)
Now, let’s talk about Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
These are orders issued by government agencies like the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to regulate the quality of specific products.
These orders mandate certain standards and requirements that products must meet before they can be sold in the market.
Quality Control Order for Electrical Accessories
The government has made it mandatory for electrical accessories like switch sockets, lamp holders, and cable trunking to meet quality standards to stop the inflow of low-quality imports and promote local manufacturing.
The Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 was issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on January 1 this year.
Moreover, the goods or articles mentioned below shall conform to the corresponding Indian Standard mentioned and shall bear the mandatory standard mark.
|
Indian Standard |
Title of Indian Standard |
| 14772: 2020 | Boxes and Enclosures for Electrical Accessories for Households and Similar Fixed Electrical Installations |
| 14927 (Part 2): 2001 | Cable Trunking and Ducting Systems for Electrical Installations – Cable Trunking and Ducting Systems Intended for Mounting on Walls or Ceiling |
| 1258: 2005 | Bayonet Lamp Holders |
| 15787: 2008 | Switch-socket-outlets (non-interlock type) |
| 13774:2021 | Live Working Gloves of Insulating Material |
| 15652:2006 | Insulating Mats for Electrical Purposes |
| 7809 (Part3/ Sec1): 1986 | Specification for Pressure sensitive adhesive insulating tapes for electrical purposes- Part 3 requirements or individual materials – Sec 1 plasticized polyvinylchloride tapes with non-thermosetting adhesive |
The order will come into force from July 6, 2024, giving businesses six months to comply.
To support small businesses, there are extensions: nine months for small industries and 12 months for micro-enterprises.
However, items manufactured in India for export are also exempt from this rule.
Violating the BIS Act could lead to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine starting from Rs 2 lakh for the first offence.
Subsequent offences may incur higher fines of up to 10 times the value of the goods. Similar orders have been issued in the past for various goods.
Note: Access the official notification from here.
Why ISI Mark Made Mandatory for Electrical Accessories?
So, why exactly is the ISI mark made mandatory for electrical accessories such as cable trunking, lamp holders, and insulating mats?
The answer lies below:
- Safety Assurance: Electrical accessories are directly related to the safety of electrical installations.
If these accessories are of poor quality or do not meet certain safety standards, they can pose serious risks such as electric shocks, short circuits, or even fires.
The ISI mark ensures that these products have undergone rigorous testing and comply with safety standards, thus minimizing the risk of accidents.
- Reliability: When you buy electrical accessories, you want them to be reliable and long-lasting.
Products bearing the ISI mark undergo stringent quality control measures, which include testing for durability, performance, and reliability.
This means that you can trust that the product will perform as expected and have a longer lifespan.
- Consumer Confidence: The ISI mark also instils confidence in consumers.
When you see the ISI mark on a product, you know that it has been certified by a reputable organization and meets certain quality standards.
This gives consumers peace of mind knowing that they are purchasing a safe and reliable product.
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So, don’t delay making your product more reliable and safer with ISI certification.
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