BIS Quality Control Order for Hand Tools - Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners)

Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) QCO Overview

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade – DPIIT), Government of India, has issued the Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2025 through Gazette Notification S.O. 5596(E) dated 4th December 2025. Under this notification, Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) covered under IS 4508:1992 have been included under mandatory BIS certification requirements.

As per the notification, manufacturers of Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) must ensure that their products conform to the specified Indian Standard and bear the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a valid BIS licence granted as per Scheme-I of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

What is IS 4508:1992?

IS 4508:1992 is the Indian Standard specified for Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners). This standard covers the quality, dimensions, material specifications, performance requirements, and testing parameters for these hand tools to ensure safety, strength, durability, and reliable industrial performance.

Implementation Dates Under QCO

The QCO implementation dates for Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) are as follows:

Applicability of the QCO

The QCO applies to:

• Domestic manufacturers
• Foreign manufacturers exporting to India
• Importers, distributors, and sellers dealing in covered hand tools

However, products manufactured exclusively for export are exempted from this Order. Additionally, up to 200 units imported annually for research and development purposes are also exempted subject to prescribed conditions.

Importance of BIS Certification

BIS certification for Open Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) ensures:

• Product quality and safety compliance
• Use of reliable and durable materials
• Compliance with Indian regulatory requirements
• Legal sale of products in the Indian market
• Consumer trust through ISI Mark certification

Penalty for Non-Compliance

Any person or manufacturer violating the provisions of this Quality Control Order may face penalties under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.