QCO – A Pivotal Reform for a Quality-Focused Indian Machinery Sector

Issued by: Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (India)

Understanding QCO: What Does It Entail?

A Quality Control Order (QCO) is an official regulation released under the BIS Act of 2016. It mandates adherence to designated Indian Standards for specific products being manufactured or imported. Items listed under a QCO must display the Standard Mark (ISI) after the manufacturer obtains a valid license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

For capital-intensive machinery such as textile processing units, weaving and spinning machines, gearboxes, compressors, motors, and related parts, QCOs play a critical role. They ensure that all such machinery adheres to minimum design, safety, performance, and reliability benchmarks.

Why QCO is Crucial for the Indian Machinery Sector

QCO represents a game-changing regulatory step with broad implications. Below are the key reasons why its implementation is timely and significant:

1. Safeguarding the Domestic Market
India has long contended with the issue of low-cost, inferior quality machinery imports that disrupt local pricing, lower industry standards, and hinder innovation. QCO mandates uniform quality compliance, compelling both Indian and foreign manufacturers to meet the same criteria.
Note: Dealers, agents, or assemblers are not eligible for certification.

2. Enhancing Export Competitiveness
By conforming to BIS certification, Indian machinery makers align with international quality expectations. This enhances the trust and appeal of Indian-made equipment in global markets, especially those requiring stringent compliance.

3. Advancing Safety and Efficiency
The QCO requires quality checks across raw materials, product design, safety mechanisms, and environmental impact. This minimizes risks such as accidents and operational delays, particularly in sectors with continuous production like textiles.

4. Encouraging Modernization and Innovation
To align with BIS norms, manufacturers will need to update production methods, invest in research and development, and implement robust quality systems. These steps will naturally push the industry toward modernization.

5. Supporting Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat
By fostering the use of high-standard, Indian-made machinery, QCO helps further the national vision of self-reliance and reduced dependency on low-quality imports.

TMMA’s Perspective: Fostering Quality and Sustainable Growth

As the primary representative of India’s textile machinery industry, TMMA (India) stands firmly in support of the QCO initiative. This policy, in their view, will raise the overall benchmark of Indian capital goods and promote ethical and fair trade practices.

TMMA’s proactive contributions include:

• Educating stakeholders on QCO’s coverage and implications

• Assisting manufacturers in navigating the BIS certification process

• Coordinating with BIS and authorities to strengthen certification and testing infrastructure

• Facilitating dialogue between government bodies, manufacturers, and users to address implementation issues

QCO Benefits for the Industry

Impact on Textile Machinery Manufacturers

The QCO offers textile machinery producers a chance to uplift industry standards. The textile domain is increasingly adopting smart manufacturing, automation, and energy-saving technologies. With QCO enforcement, only machines that are durable, efficient, and high-performing will enter the market.

Early adoption of QCO standards can provide manufacturers with a first-mover advantage, positioning them as preferred suppliers to major textile companies, government projects, and global buyers.

Implementation Guide for Manufacturers

To comply smoothly with the QCO, machinery producers should take the following steps:

1. Determine whether your product is listed under the QCO

2. Apply for BIS certification through the BIS portal

3. Prepare necessary technical documents, product samples, and be ready for factory audits

4. Cooperate fully with BIS auditors and authorized testing bodies

5. Post-certification, ensure that machines bear the ISI mark

TMMA strongly advises initiating the process early to prevent delays and resource congestion close to the implementation deadline.

How Buyers and Users Will Benefit

Buyers—especially MSMEs—often suffer from investing in unreliable and substandard machinery, leading to repeated breakdowns and financial burdens. QCO compliance will allow buyers to choose certified machinery that assures:

• Longer operational life

• Better maintenance and service support

• Compliance with energy and safety norms

• Reduced total cost of ownership

In essence, QCO empowers buyers to make secure, informed purchases.

TMMA’s Ongoing Role

TMMA commits to continuing its support through:

• Organizing awareness initiatives, webinars, and training programs

• Publishing resource materials like FAQs and compliance guides

• Coordinating with BIS and government departments to ensure transparent implementation

• Assisting manufacturers in addressing testing and certification challenges

• Promoting domestic innovation and indigenization of high-end machinery parts

Conclusion

The Quality Control Order is a forward-looking policy that will reshape India’s presence in the global machinery market. It pushes Indian manufacturers to focus on quality, reliability, and innovation rather than just cost competitiveness.

TMMA urges all stakeholders—whether manufacturers, buyers, importers, or regulators—to collaborate and create a robust, quality-first machinery ecosystem aligned with the demands of global trade and modern industry.

Let’s work together to make Indian machinery world-class.