BIS Quality Control Order for Hand Tools - Pipe Wrenches –General Purpose

Pipe Wrenches – General Purpose 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, Pipe Wrenches – General Purpose covered under IS 4003 (Part 1):1978 have been included under mandatory BIS certification requirements.

As per the notification, manufacturers of Pipe Wrenches – General Purpose 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.

Implementation Dates Under QCO

The Quality Control Order shall be implemented in phases for different categories of enterprises:

Purpose of the QCO

The main objective of this Quality Control Order is to ensure that Pipe Wrenches – General Purpose sold in the Indian market meet prescribed quality, safety, durability, and performance standards. The QCO has been introduced to:

• Improve product quality and reliability
• Ensure safe usage of hand tools in industrial and domestic applications
• Prevent the sale of substandard and unsafe products
• Promote standardized manufacturing practices
• Strengthen consumer confidence in certified hand tools

Mandatory BIS Certification Requirement

Under this order, it is mandatory for manufacturers to obtain BIS certification before selling or distributing Pipe Wrenches – General Purpose in India. Products must comply with IS 4003 (Part 1):1978 and carry the ISI Mark issued by BIS.

Without BIS certification, manufacturing, importing, storing, selling, or distributing non-certified products may lead to penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Exemptions Under the Order

The following products are exempted from the QCO requirements:

• Products manufactured exclusively for export purposes
• Up to 200 imported units for research and development purposes per year by manufacturers, provided such goods are not sold commercially and proper records are maintained