Published: 12 Oct 2026
BIS Standard Mark Made Mandatory for Nine Hand Tools Under New QCO Replacing 2025 Order
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REGULATORY UPDATE | S.O. 5561(E), DATED 9 OCTOBER 2026 | HAND TOOLS (QUALITY CONTROL) ORDER, 2026
BACKGROUND
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has issued the Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 5561(E)) under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. It supersedes the Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2025, except for things done or omitted before the supersession.
WHAT’S CHANGED
Hand tools covered by the Order must conform to the listed Indian Standard and bear the Standard Mark under a BIS licence, per Scheme-1 of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The nine covered standards and the implementation dates are set out in the Table of the Order, reproduced below as published in the Gazette:
| Sl. No. | Goods or articles | Indian Standard | Title of Indian Standard | Date of Implementation in General (other than micro and small enterprises) | Date of implementation for small enterprises | Date of implementation for micro enterprises |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) |
| 1. | Hand Tools | 4003 (Part 1):2026 | Pipe Wrenches – Specification Part 1 General Purpose | 1st April, 2027 | 1st July, 2027 | 1st October, 2027 |
| 2. | 4003(Part 2): 2026 | Pipe Wrenches – Specification Part 2 General Purpose | ||||
| 3. | 2028:2026 | Open Jaw Wrenches (Spanners) | ||||
| 4. | 2029:2026 | Ring Wrenches (Spanners) | ||||
| 5. | 6149:2025 | Single Ended Open -jaw Adjustable Wrenches Specification | ||||
| 6. | 4123:2024 | Chain Pipe Wrenches — Specification | ||||
| 7. | 4508:2024 | Open-Ended Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) | ||||
| 8. | 4509:2024 | Ring Slugging Wrenches (Spanners) | ||||
| 9. | 3650:2026 | Specification for combination side cutting pliers |
Note.— For the purposes of this Table, the latest version of Indian Standards including the amendments thereof, as notified by the Bureau from time to time shall apply.
Three provisos limit the scope:
- Small and micro enterprises, as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006, follow their own later dates.
- Goods manufactured domestically for export are exempt.
- Hand tool manufacturers may import up to 200 units a year for research and development without certification. These units can’t be sold commercially and must be disposed of as scrap, and manufacturers must keep year-wise records and furnish them if the Government asks.
WHO THIS AFFECTS
- Manufacturers of the listed hand tools, who need a BIS licence to use the Standard Mark
- Importers of these tools, who face the same conformity requirement
- Micro and small enterprises, which get later dates
- Domestic manufacturers who make only for export, who are exempt
STATUS
This is a final, notified Order, effective from the date of its publication. The compliance obligation begins on the dates above and is not yet in force. BIS is the certifying and enforcing authority, and contravention is punishable under the BIS Act, 2016.
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REFERENCE
- S.O. 5561(E), Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2026
- Dated: 9 October 2026
- Supersedes: Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2025
- Legal basis: Section 16, Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
- File No.: P-29026/11/2022-LEI
- Gazette Id: CG-DL-E-09102026-277000
- Signing officer: Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Joint Secretary
SOURCES
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade — S.O. 5561(E), Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2026, dated 9 October 2026, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii).
Source: E-Gazette official website. Link: https://egazette.gov.in/(S(cotnjt3pccqq1tomwt4clmw0))/ViewPDF.aspx
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
