Navigating India's Cookware QCO The Role of Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd. in BIS Certification

Komal21 July 2025

Introduction

In an effort to ensure consumer safety and standardization across essential kitchenware, the Government of India introduced the Cookware, Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2024, under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016. This regulation mandates that certain categories of cookware and containers meet specific Indian Standards and display the BIS Standard Mark for legal sale in India.

While the regulation aims to raise product quality, it introduces significant compliance challenges, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this evolving compliance landscape, Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd. plays a pivotal role in assisting manufacturers and importers in achieving and maintaining BIS certification.

Overview of the QCO, 2024

The QCO covers the following categories:

BIS Certification requirements and stakeholder information.
Goods/Articles	Indian Standard	Implementation Dates
Stainless Steel Utensils	IS 14756:2022	April 1, 2025 (General); July 1, 2025 (Small Enterprises); Oct 1, 2025 (Micro Enterprises)
Wrought Aluminium Utensils	IS 1660:2009	Same as above
Stainless Steel Sinks	IS 13983:1994	Same as above
Round Open Top Sanitary Cans – Tinplate	IS 9396 (Part 1):1987	Same as above

Key mandates:

Mandatory BIS certification under Scheme-I of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Goods must bear the BIS Standard Mark.
Exemptions apply for export-only products, micro units below certain financial thresholds, and R&D imports up to 200 units/year.

Compliance Challenges Faced by Industry

Technical Documentation: Aligning with IS specifications requires detailed documentation, often in highly technical formats unfamiliar to SMEs.
Product Testing: Products must be tested in BIS-recognized labs, which can be logistically and financially challenging.
Factory Audits: BIS inspectors assess manufacturing processes, quality systems, and infrastructure, necessitating readiness and prior compliance.
Timeline Pressure: With staggered but tight deadlines, many firms risk missing implementation windows, incurring penalties under the BIS Act.

How Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd. Facilitates BIS Certification

Regulatory Interpretation and Strategy

Omega QMS decodes the legal and technical language of QCOs and Indian Standards, offering clients clear, actionable roadmaps tailored to their products and scale of operation. This includes exemption assessments for micro enterprises under the Udyam Portal.

Documentation and Application Support

Navigating BIS Form V, factory layouts, quality manuals, and test reports is daunting. Omega QMS prepares and compiles compliant documentation packages, reducing errors and rejections during application processing.

Liaison and Coordination with BIS

Omega QMS acts as a single point of contact, coordinating with BIS officers, test labs, and auditors to streamline certification timelines. Their pre-audit readiness checks help avoid last-minute surprises.

Product Testing Facilitation

They assist in identifying suitable BIS-approved labs, manage sample logistics, and interpret lab reports to ensure products meet required benchmarks.

Post-Certification Compliance

Once certification is granted, Omega QMS continues to support clients with renewal reminders, logo usage guidelines, and updates on any amendments to relevant Indian Standards.

Case in Point: Empowering SMEs

For a micro enterprise manufacturing aluminium utensils with modest infrastructure investment, Omega QMS:

Verified exemption eligibility under the ₹25 lakh investment and ₹2 crore turnover clause.
Recommended whether to apply for exemption or pursue BIS certification for broader market access.
Provided low-cost compliance strategies to prepare for BIS certification after the exemption period ends.

Conclusion

The cookware and food-grade packaging sectors in India are undergoing a regulatory transformation. The Cookware QCO, 2024, represents a major push toward safety and quality. However, for businesses to thrive in this environment, expert navigation of the certification process is essential.

Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd. emerges as a trusted partner in this journey—bridging the gap between regulation and implementation, and empowering manufacturers to unlock growth through compliance.