DPIIT Rolls Out Mandatory Quality Norms For Solder Wires
The government has adopted required quality standards for solder wires, which are used in the electronics and engineering industries, in order to reduce imports of substandard items and increase domestic production of these goods.
On 18 September, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued a notification in this regard.
Items covered by the Flux Cored Solder Wire (Quality Control) Order, 2023 are not permitted to be manufactured, marketed, exchanged, imported or stocked unless they show the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark.
According to the DPIIT, these orders will take effect six months from the date of publication of this notification.
Soldering is a key procedure in which the quality of flux-cored solder wire is critical since any failure will have an impact on the quality and safety of the items soldered, notably in the electronic and automobile industries.
"Implementing the Quality Control Order (QCO) for this product is critical not only for consumer safety, but it will also improve manufacturing quality standards in the country and reduce substandard product imports into India," it added.
Until until, BIS certification rules did not apply to these products.
For the first offence, a violation of the BIS Act can result in imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh.
In the case of a second or subsequent offence, the fine would be increased to a minimum of Rs 5 lakh and up to ten times the value of the commodities or articles.
Relaxations in the schedule for implementing the QCO have been allowed, according to the notification, to enable local micro and small industries.
The department is undertaking a number of efforts, including the development of QCO, to raise quality awareness among users and manufacturers alike.
These activities, together with the development of quality testing labs and product manuals, will contribute in the development of the country's quality ecosystem, according to the report.
Mandatory QCOs aid in the reduction of substandard product imports, the prevention of unfair trade practices, and the safety and well-being of consumers and the environment.
These activities, together with the creation of testing labs, product manuals, and test lab accreditation, would contribute to the development of a quality ecosystem in the country.
"The goal of notifying the QCOs is to improve the quality of domestically manufactured products, reduce imports of substandard products into India, prevent unfair trade practices, protect human, animal, or plant health, and ensure environmental safety," it stated.
Previously, such orders were issued for a variety of items, including smart metres, welding rods and electrodes, cookware and utensils, fire extinguishers, electric ceiling fans and household gas stoves.
“DPIIT has identified key products for requiring QCO implementation in continuous consultation with BIS and stakeholders. This has resulted in the creation of 60 new QCOs encompassing 318 product standards,” according to the department.
