New Import Regulation on Steel Products
India’s Ministry of Steel has announced that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) will be granted for steel products that are not covered under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or the country’s Quality Control Orders (QCO). This decision aims to ensure that both domestic and imported steel products comply with the established BIS standards, ensuring quality and uniformity in the steel industry.

Efforts to Bypass BIS Standards
The Ministry has observed that many traders and manufacturers are attempting to import steel products with minor alterations in their chemical composition or specifications in order to bypass BIS standards. In 2023 alone, the Ministry received applications for the import of 1,136 different steel grades that are neither internationally recognized nor covered by BIS standards. These products are only slightly modified in terms of their chemical composition or specifications, and this practice seems to be an effort to import cheap steel under different grade names.

Concerns Over Quality and Domestic Impact
The Ministry of Steel has expressed concern that such practices will lead to the importation of sub-standard steel, which may not meet required safety and quality standards. This could harm both small and large-scale domestic manufacturers, as the influx of cheaper, non-compliant steel could undermine the domestic market, resulting in downward pressure on steel prices.

In conclusion, the Ministry has emphasized that while the NOC may facilitate imports not covered by BIS, the focus will remain on protecting the domestic industry from low-quality imports that could affect the competitiveness and stability of India’s steel producers.