Hand Tools Quality Control Order (QCO) Reissued — Nine Products, BIS Certification Mandatory from 1 October 2026

What the order does

S.O. 5596(E), dated 4 December 2025, supersedes the earlier Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2025. The supersession was issued specifically to revise and confirm the implementation date. The substance of the order which products are covered, which Indian Standards apply, and the certification scheme remains unchanged. What changed is the compliance deadline, now set at 1 October 2026 for general manufacturers.

Under the order, all nine covered hand tool products must conform to their corresponding Indian Standard and bear the BIS Standard Mark under a licence granted under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. BIS is the certifying and enforcing authority.

Products and Indian standards covered

The latest version of each Indian Standard, including any amendments notified by BIS from time to time, applies automatically under this order.

Implementation dates by enterprise type

General manufacturers (other than micro and small enterprises): 1 October 2026.

Small enterprises: 1 January 2027.

Micro enterprises: 1 April 2027.

Enterprise classification follows the definitions under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.

What is excluded

The order does not apply to goods manufactured domestically for export. It also does not apply to up to 200 units per year imported by hand tool manufacturers for research and development purposes, provided those units are not sold commercially, are disposed of as scrap, and records are maintained and furnished to government authorities on request.

Have a question about a specific product or QCO? Ask Chat QCO or speak to an expert at bisqco.accessindiaplatform.com

This news update is for guidance only. Verify with a qualified compliance advisor before acting.