QCOs have surged from under 100 to nearly 800 products, extending beyond finished goods to raw materials — adding layers of compliance
Lengthy BIS certifications and rising costs have slowed production. MSMEs, already stretched thin, face major growth hurdles
A study shows imports of QCO goods fell 24%, but exports stagnated — proving protectionism has outweighed productivity
Labour-heavy sectors like metals, textiles, and chemicals have suffered supply disruptions under a one-size-fits-all policy
India needs faster, transparent certification through more testing labs, decentralised BIS approvals, and third-party validation
Adopting ISO and IEC norms can boost exports. Rationalised QCOs should ensure safety without stifling industrial growth