Beyond the Headlines: Decoding the Government's Stance on BIS Approvals of Chinese Manufacturers

In recent days, several major media outlets have reported that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has "resumed" processing certifications for Chinese manufacturers. This has, understandably, created a stir across industries — from electronics and machinery to steel, chemicals, and consumer durables.

However, these reports, while optimistic, are premature and partially misleading. The reality is far more nuanced. While policy signals are clearly moving in a positive direction, BIS has not yet officially resumed certification of Chinese factories in the broad manner being portrayed. Here's a clear-eyed decoding of what's really happening — and what it means for Indian businesses.

1. The Reality: "Active Discussions," Not Official Resumption

The correct phrase is not "resumption," but "active inter-ministerial discussions." For the first time in several years, the Indian government is seriously deliberating the reopening of BIS certification channels for Chinese manufacturers. These deliberations are at an advanced stage and involve close coordination between several ministries and departments — including:

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCA)
• Ministry of Steel
• Ministry of Textiles
• Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC)
• Ministry of Heavy Industries

This coordinated engagement marks a significant policy movement and reflects the government's willingness to re-evaluate the current freeze on approvals. However, the final administrative "go-ahead" for a general resumption has not yet been issued.

2. The Key Player: DPIIT is Gathering Data

At the center of this review is DPIIT, which has begun gathering data from industry stakeholders to map the scale and sectoral impact of stalled certifications. This is a diagnostic and preparatory phase — DPIIT, in consultation with BIS and the concerned line ministries, is identifying:

• Pending Chinese applications across product categories
• Industrial dependence on these imports
• Critical supply chain gaps affecting domestic production

The goal is to enable a phased and calibrated approach, ensuring that the eventual decision supports both national security and manufacturing continuity.

3. The Likely Path Forward: A "Phased" and "Priority-Based" Resumption

When approvals do restart, they will not come as a blanket clearance. Instead, the government is expected to adopt a phased, priority-based framework, initially clearing:

1. Components and raw materials that are critical to Indian manufacturing
2. Sectors where the non-availability of BIS-certified Chinese inputs has disrupted domestic production
3. Applications already technically cleared but held up due to the current policy stance

This will be a controlled reopening, balancing geopolitical sensitivities with economic imperatives — not a simple return to the pre-2020 scenario.

4. Why This Still Counts as "Good News"

Even if the headlines have overstated it, the direction of policy movement is unmistakably positive. For Indian importers, assemblers, and manufacturers who have been struggling with prolonged certification delays, these inter-ministerial consultations are the most encouraging signal in years. It shows that the Government of India:

• Recognizes the bottlenecks created by the freeze
• Is open to pragmatic, industry-friendly solutions
• Is working to protect both India's strategic interests and its industrial growth momentum

Conclusion: Cautious Optimism Is the Right Stance

To summarize:

• Fact: BIS has not yet officially resumed the processing of Chinese certifications.
• Reality: The government, through BIS, MeitY, DPIIT, MoCA, the Ministries of Steel, Textiles, and Heavy Industries, and the DCPC, is in advanced consultations to do so.
• Outlook: The eventual reopening will be phased, structured, and priority-driven.

For Indian businesses, this is a moment for cautious optimism. The policy wheels are turning again, and the government's intent to resolve long-pending issues is clear. The upcoming changes may finally strike the balance between national policy discipline and industrial pragmatism, ensuring India's supply chains remain robust while its strategic interests stay protected.

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