Poly Aluminium Chloride, commonly known as PAC, is an important chemical used across water treatment, wastewater treatment, industrial processing, and related applications. Since this chemical directly impacts quality, safety, and environmental protection, the Government of India has brought Poly Aluminium Chloride under mandatory BIS compliance through a Quality Control Order.
The Poly Aluminium Chloride (Quality Control) Order, 2019 was issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers under S.O. 2790(E) dated 05 August 2019. As per the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, the QCO for Poly Aluminium Chloride under IS 15573:2018 came into force on 02 February 2020.
What is BIS QCO for Poly Aluminium Chloride?
A Quality Control Order, or QCO, makes compliance with a specific Indian Standard mandatory for a notified product. For Poly Aluminium Chloride, the applicable Indian Standard is:
| Product | Indian Standard | Standard Title |
| Poly Aluminium Chloride | IS 15573:2018 | Specification for Poly Aluminium Chloride |
The official QCO states that Poly Aluminium Chloride must conform to IS 15573:2018 and must bear the BIS Standard Mark under a valid licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
In simple words, manufacturers cannot supply Poly Aluminium Chloride in the Indian market unless the product complies with the applicable BIS standard and carries the required ISI BIS mark.
Why BIS Certification is Mandatory for Poly Aluminium Chloride
BIS certification ensures that Poly Aluminium Chloride meets defined quality, safety, and performance parameters. The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has stated that BIS standards for many chemicals are voluntary in nature, but QCOs are notified to make selected chemical standards mandatory so that domestic manufacturers and overseas suppliers meet BIS parameters for safety, health, and environmental protection.
For businesses, this means BIS compliance is not only a quality requirement but also a legal requirement. Non-compliance may lead to business restrictions, difficulty in selling the product, regulatory action, and loss of buyer confidence.
Who Needs BIS Certification for Poly Aluminium Chloride?
BIS certification is critical to:
Indian producers generating poly aluminum chloride for the domestic market; foreign manufacturers exporting poly aluminum chloride to India; importers sourcing Poly Aluminum Chloride for manufacturers from distant locations; buyers and suppliers dealing with BIS-informed PAC products; and agencies cooperating on government, industrial, or water-treatment tenders where BIS compliance is required.
BIS approval for foreign manufacturers is normally dealt with through the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme, while Indian manufacturers look through the BIS product certification route at home
Key Compliance Requirements Under the QCO
Under the poly aluminum chloride QCO, organizations are subsequently required to ensure:
The product must conform to IS 15573:2018; The manufacturer has to obtain a valid BIS license; The product has to bear the BIS standard mark; The test should conform to the relevant Indian standard; and the manufacturer must keep records of manufacture, first-class handling, and use.
The QCO also provides that goods intended for export are not included in the event that they have been agreed to a required specification through a foreign buyer.
BIS Certification Process for Poly Aluminium Chloride
The BIS certification method generally involves the following steps.
1. Introduction to product scope
The first step is to verify whether the product is less than Poly Aluminum Chloride as per IS 15573:2018. The applicant must assess the appearance, grade, composition of the product and the intended class of supply.
2. Documentation preparation
The manufacturer should put together files related to the technical offense design unit. These may additionally include manufacturing information, plant format, satisfactory-handling procedures, test centers, raw material information, product specifications and authorization documents
3. BIS application filing
Along with the required files and government fees, the utility is filed with the BIS. Product certification under Scheme-I is listed with the help of BIS because the way to use ISI mark.
4. factory inspection
BIS can additionally check production premises to verify manufacturing efficiency, check centers, high-quality-manipulation systems, and compliance readiness.
5. Product Testing
The testing of samples is in accordance with IS 15573:2018. The test results need to show that the product meets the relevant requirements of the Indian Standard.
6. Grant of BIS License
After successful assessment, inspection and testing, the BIS presents the license. Once the license is granted, the manufacturer may use the BIS Standard Mark on Poly Aluminum Chloride in line with the approved scope.
Documents Required for BIS Certification of Poly Aluminium Chloride
The exact document list for bis may vary depending on whether the applicant is an Indian manufacturer or foreign manufacturer. Generally, the following documents are required:
| Document Category | Common Documents |
| Company Documents | Certificate of incorporation, factory licence, GST, address proof |
| Manufacturing Documents | Manufacturing process flow, plant layout, machinery details |
| Quality Documents | Quality manual, in-house testing details, calibration certificates |
| Product Documents | Product specification, grade details, label/marking details |
| Testing Documents | Internal test reports, external lab reports where applicable |
| Authorization Documents | Authorised signatory letter, nomination of Indian representative for foreign manufacturers |
Many companies face delays due to incomplete technical documentation, inadequate in-house testing facilities, mismatch in product specifications, improper labeling details, missing factory records, or lack of clarity on the applicable BIS standard.
For foreign manufacturers, delays may also arise because of coordination issues, Authorized Indian Representative documentation, factory inspection scheduling, and sample testing arrangements.
Role of BIS and Enforcement Authorities
The QCO states that the Bureau of Indian Standards is the authority for certification and enforcement of conformity to the Standard Mark. It also mentions that the District Industries Centre in the State Government’s Department of Industries shall also be an enforcing authority.
This makes it important for manufacturers, importers, and suppliers to maintain proper compliance records even after obtaining the licence.
Why Choose ELT Corporate for BIS QCO Compliance?
ELT Corporate assists manufacturers, importers, and foreign companies in managing end-to-end BIS certification and QCO compliance for chemical products, including Poly Aluminium Chloride.
Our team can help with product applicability review, BIS documentation, application filing, technical coordination, factory inspection preparation, testing coordination, query response, and post-licence compliance support.
Conclusion
The BIS QCO for Poly Aluminium Chloride has made compliance with IS 15573:2018 mandatory for supplying PAC in India. Since the order is already in force, manufacturers and importers must ensure that their product bears the BIS Standard Mark under a valid BIS licence before placing it in the Indian market.
For companies dealing in Poly Aluminium Chloride, timely BIS certification is essential to avoid regulatory hurdles, supply disruptions, tender rejection, and market-entry delays.
Yes, Poly Aluminum Chloride must comply with BIS standards under IS 15573:2018 when covered under the applicable QCO.
Poly Aluminum Chloride is covered under IS 15573:2018 for quality and safety compliance.
Manufacturers and importers dealing in Poly Aluminum Chloride must obtain BIS certification before selling it in India.
