Flanging Units for Ductile Iron Pipes: A Policy Win

Engagement snapshot

The challenge — an entire class of manufacturers locked out

• BIS classified flanging as a 'plumbing activity' (and not manufacturing activity) and declined all licence applications. This meant flanging unit operators had no certification pathway, no applicable STI and could not legally supply QCO-mandated infrastructure markets. The sector was effectively excluded from regulated procurement.

Our approach — four-pillar regulatory argument, escalated to DPIIT

Manufacturing infrastructure argument

• We demonstrated that flanging units deploy 20–30 ft bed lathes, Electric Overhead Travel (EOT) cranes, precision machining centres and dedicated testing rigs which unambiguously constitute capital-intensive manufacturing operations and not plumbing activities.

Product transformation argument

• We established that flanging transforms a standard Ductile Iron (DI) pipe spigot into a pressure-rated flanged component meeting IS 8329 and IS 9523 dimensional specifications which by any technical definition is a manufacturing process.

Public safety & infrastructure argument

• Flanged DI pipe components serve water supply, gas distribution and sewage infrastructure. Excluding them from BIS oversight creates a quality and safety gap in India's critical utility networks.

DPIIT representation & policy engagement

• We submitted a comprehensive, evidence-backed representation to DPIIT resulting in a formal directive to BIS to formulate dedicated guidelines and a Special STI for flanging units. Access India actively supported the STI development process.

Impact delivered

• "Policy gaps can be just as damaging as compliance failures. The right representation — backed by technical rigour and regulatory intelligence — can unlock entire markets."

Navigating India's regulatory landscape requires more than compliance — it demands strategy.

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