In continuation to what we reported earlier (please refer to e-mail in trail), the Ministry of Steel (“Ministry”) has notified the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 (“2024 Order”) prescribing standards for steel and steel products. The present Order is in supersession of existing Quality Control Order dated 5th February 2024.
Key Highlights:
- Effective Date: The 2024 Order has gained effect since 2nd September 2024. However, Quality Control standards for the following products will be enforceable after six months:
- Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled Steel Strips Intended for Processing of Semi/Fully Processed Non-Grain Oriented Electrical Steel or Fully Processed Grain Oriented Electrical Steel;
- Hot-Rolled Steel Strip, Sheet and Plates for Welded Steel Pipe for Pipeline Transportation Systems;
- Hot- Dip galvanized/ galvannealed Steel Sheet and strips for Automotive Applications;
- Hot-Dip Zinc – Aluminium – Magnesium Alloy Coated Steel Sheets, Plates and Strips;
- Ferromolybdenum – Specification; and
- Specification for Ferro Vanadium.
- Compulsory use of Standard Mark: Goods or articles specified in the Schedule of the Order will have to conform to the corresponding Indian Standard mentioned below and has to bear the Standard Mark under a licence from the Bureau as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
- Penalty for contravention: Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Order will be punishable with imprisonment up to 2 years and fine of Rs. 2 Lakhs which may extend up to Rs. 5 Lakh for the second contravention. For subsequent contraventions, the fine but may extend up to ten times the value of goods or articles produced or sold or offered to be sold or affixed or applied with a Standard Mark, including Hallmark, or with both. If the value of goods or articles produced or sold or offered to be sold cannot be determined, it shall be presumed that one year’s production was in such contravention and the annual turnover in the previous financial year shall be taken as the value of goods or articles for such contravention.
Note: These standards shall not apply to steel and steel products manufactured domestically for export (which needs to conform to other specifications required by a foreign buyer).
A copy of the 2024 Order is attached herewith for ease of your reference.
Source: Ministry of Steel
