Top Brass Discuss Delay in Electrical Appliance Safety Regulations due to Industry Concerns and Compliance Struggles
The Skinny
Governments contemplate delaying the implementation of Quality Control Orders for electrical appliances
The DPIIT has heard loud and clear from the electrical appliance industry regarding the challenges they face when it comes to implementing new safety regulations, known as Quality Control Orders (QCOs). These stumbling blocks revolve around a lack of clarity, testing facilities, and certification procedures.
What's Going On?
In a meeting chaired by none other than the illustrious Piyush Goyal, the commerce and industry minister, the industry shared their woes surrounding the implementing the horizontal QCO on the "Safety of Household, Commercial, and Similar Electrical Appliances."
Could Use a Helping Hand
The main points of industry concern are the inclusion of DC-supplied and battery-operated appliances under the QCO, the scarcity of product manuals and test labs for the appliances, and the lack of certification by domestic as well as foreign manufacturers. Additionally, the industry is asking for a phased approach to the implementation of QCOs, starting with finished goods before moving on to components and raw materials.
Anyone Else Trying to Help?
Of course, they didn't go it alone! The meeting attracted heavyweight influencers from leading industry associations such as ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI, as well as some of our favorite acronym-loving groupings like CEAMA, RAMA, ICEA, IFMA, and SMTA. BIS officials also attended the meet-up.
Why is This Important?
The QCOs are designed to set uniform quality standards for electrical appliances across India and plug any loopholes or inconsistencies that might arise in the manufacturing process. But the industry's concerns have put potential delays on the table, as they request more time to ensure compliance.
Coffee Break Facts
- The QCOs apply to both domestic and imported electrical appliances.
- The QCOs aim to promote safety and standardization in the manufacturing of electrical appliances in India.
- The proposed phased approach includes a focus on finished goods before moving onto components and raw materials.
- The industry's concerns revolve around the ambiguity regarding the coverage of DC-supplied appliances and battery-operated appliances under the QCOs.
- Several associations representing the electrical appliance industry requested an extension of the timeline to meet the standards due to the current challenges.
- The industry has proposed the establishment of more testing facilities with modern technology in public-funded labs and state government institutions to resolve the issue with limited testing facilities.
- The electrical appliance industry, alongside influencers from associations like ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI, CEAMA, RAMA, ICEA, IFMA, and SMTA, raised concerns about the delayed implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) in the finance sector due to industry struggles with clarity, testing, and certification.
- The QCOs in the finance industry, designed to promote safety and standardization in the manufacturing of electrical appliances, could potentially face delays, as industry representatives have requested a phased approach and extension of the timeline to address current challenges.
- In an effort to resolve the issue of limited testing facilities, the electrical appliance industry has proposed the establishment of more testing facilities equipped with modern technology in public-funded labs and state government institutions, further impacting the finance and business industry.
