Need more time for BIS certification on steel imports: SIAM

With the March 15 deadline approaching, the auto industry has sought more time to comply with the government's notification mandating BIS certification for steel imports.
As the certification process takes time to get completed, the move could affect the production schedule of the companies, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Director General Vishnu Mathur said.
Currently, all auto manufacturers import specialised steel from countries including Japan and Korea for production of various parts like roofs and panels.
With the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification kicking in, the companies will have to get the imported steel certified.
"Either exempt us or give us more time to comply with the order. We received the notification last month and it will become effective March 15. So, we don't have much time. It could impact production of auto firms," Mathur said.

He added that the industry is in touch with the Steel Ministry and expects some positive development on the issue.

"We are willing to take certification, but give us some time to get this done. People who had applied in August last year are yet to get it. We should be given adequate time, otherwise the production lines would stop," Mathur said.
Last month, the government issued quality control guidelines for various steel products used in various industries to check imports of sub-standard items.
The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order lists 15 grades of steel products, including hot-rolled flat products, cold-reduced carbon steel sheets, carbon steel billets and slabs, among others.

The products listed are used in various industries including construction and heavy engineering, among other uses.
These orders specify that no person or entity shall manufacture or store for sale, sell or distribute any product which do not conform to the specified standards and do not bear the standard mark of BIS.
Sub-standard or defective products that do not match the specific standard shall be disposed of as scrap as per the scheme of testing and inspection of BIS.