On March 5, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) issued a new Quality Control Order (QCO) for stationary storage type electric water heaters.

1. Short Title and Commencement

·       The order is officially called the Electrical Appliances for Domestic Water Heating (Quality Control) Order, 2023.

·       It will come into effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Compulsory Use of Standard Mark

·       The order mandates that specific goods and articles, such as Electric Immersion Water Heaters, must conform to the Indian Standard IS 368: 2014.

·       These water heaters must have the Standard Mark (ISI Mark), which means they are certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) according to Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

·       Goods manufactured for export are exempt from this requirement.

·       The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will be responsible for certifying and enforcing the quality standards for these water heaters. Anyone who violates the provisions of this order will be subject to penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

3. Timeline

·       For Medium and Large Enterprises, the order will take effect six months after the publication date.

·       For small enterprises, the order will take effect nine months after the publication date.

·       For micro enterprises, the order will take effect twelve months after the publication date. 

This new Quality Control Order aims to ensure that Electric Immersion Water Heaters in India meet high safety and quality standards, protecting consumers and enhancing product reliability. Manufacturers and businesses should be aware of the compliance timelines to avoid penalties and support the goal of maintaining high standards in the industry.

Implementation Dates: Date of implementation for Large/Micro Enterprises: September 5th, 2024

- Date of implementation for Small Enterprises: December 5th, 2024.