Published: 1 Jul 2026
BIS Extends Import Relief for Copper Tubes Used in AC & Refrigeration: What the Copper Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 Means for Manufacturers
Published by Omega QMS | Regulatory Update
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) has notified a fresh amendment to the Copper Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The change — S.O. 3503(E), dated 30th June 2026 — extends a targeted exemption for manufacturers who import inner grooved copper tubes used in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Here’s what changed, who it affects, and what compliance teams need to do next.
Background: The Copper Products QCO
The Copper Products (Quality Control) Order was originally notified on 25th April 2024 (S.O. 1801(E)), bringing a range of copper products — including inner grooved copper tubes — under mandatory BIS certification. Like most Quality Control Orders, it aims to curb substandard imports and push domestic manufacturing toward certified quality benchmarks. Since then, the order has already seen one amendment, on 19th February 2025 (S.O. 884(E)), and now receives its second update.
What the 2026 Amendment Changes
The amendment replaces the third proviso to Paragraph 2 of the principal order. In practical terms, it extends a carve-out for manufacturers who import raw copper tube stock specifically to produce AC and refrigeration equipment, products, sub-assemblies, or components within India.
The key details:
- Product covered: Inner Grooved Copper Tubes falling under IS 10773:2025, intended for use in air conditioner and refrigeration equipment.
- Exemption window: From the commencement of this amendment order (i.e., the date of gazette publication) up to 30th November 2026.
- Quantity cap: Import volumes under this exemption cannot exceed 50% of the average quantity of such goods imported during financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26.
- Record-keeping obligation: Manufacturers availing the exemption must maintain a month-wise record of imported quantities and submit it, on company letterhead and signed by an authorised signatory, to the concerned Central Government authorities.
In short, BIS is not scrapping the certification requirement — it is buying manufacturers a limited, capped runway to continue sourcing uncertified inner grooved copper tubes while domestic certification and supply chains catch up, but only until the end of November 2026, and only up to half of their recent historical import volumes.
Why This Matters for the AC & Refrigeration Industry
Inner grooved copper tubes are a critical input for evaporator and condenser coils in air conditioners and refrigeration systems. A sudden, uncushioned enforcement of the QCO could have disrupted production schedules for OEMs and component manufacturers who haven’t yet transitioned their import sources or secured BIS-certified supply. This amendment signals that the government is aware of that supply-chain pressure and is offering calibrated, time-bound relief rather than an open-ended exemption.
For manufacturers, this is good news — but it comes with strings attached. The 50% volume cap means companies need accurate historical import data for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 on hand, and the record-keeping requirement means compliance documentation isn’t optional; it’s a condition of the exemption itself.
Action Points for Manufacturers and Importers
- Calculate your baseline. Pull FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 import volumes for inner grooved copper tubes under IS 10773:2025 to establish your average — this determines your exemption ceiling.
- Set up month-wise tracking now. Don’t wait until November to reconstruct records; build a simple monthly log of imported quantities as they happen.
- Prepare your submission format. The order requires records on company letterhead, signed by an authorised signatory — have this template and signatory authorization ready in advance.
- Plan your BIS certification transition. The exemption expires 30th November 2026. Manufacturers should use this window to secure BIS licensing for IS 10773:2025-compliant tubes or transition to certified domestic/import sources, rather than treating the relief as indefinite.
- Watch for further amendments. This is the second amendment to the 2024 order in just over a year — the government appears willing to adjust timelines and thresholds as ground realities evolve. Staying plugged into gazette notifications is essential.
How Omega QMS Can Help
Navigating BIS Quality Control Orders — from certification applications to exemption compliance and audit-ready documentation — can be complex, especially with shifting deadlines and volume caps like this one. Omega QMS helps manufacturers and importers interpret regulatory changes, build compliant record-keeping systems, and manage BIS certification timelines so you can focus on production, not paperwork.
Get in touch with our team to assess how the Copper Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 affects your import and manufacturing operations.
This article is based on Gazette Notification S.O. 3503(E), published 30th June 2026 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
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BIS certification requirements or Copper Products QCO changes affecting your copper tube imports?
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