BIS QCO for Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024

​The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has issued the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024. A Quality Control Order (QCO) that mandates BIS certification for a wide array of machinery and electrical equipment. This regulation aims to enhance product safety and quality, aligning with international standards. The order is set to come into effect on August 28, 2025.

In recent years, the Indian government has taken significant steps to enhance the safety and quality standards of machinery and electrical equipment. One key program is the execution of the Quality Control Order by the Bureau of Indian Standards. This blog will delve into the details of the BIS QCO for machinery and electrical equipment, highlighting its importance, scope, and compliance requirements.

What Is QCO?

The Quality Control Order (QCO) is a regulation introduced by the government of India. It ensures that products meet specific standards, are safe, and are of good quality. It mainly manages the quality and safety of all products, whether manufactured, imported, or sold. All manufacturers and importers must obey the norms established by QCOs.

Read More: What Is QCO In BIS

Overview For BIS QCO For Machinery And Electrical Equipment Safety

The Bureau of Indian Standards is responsible for formulating and enforcing quality standards in India. QCOs are legal mandates that require certain products to follow specific Indian standards, ensuring they meet safety and performance criteria. The Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024, is a recent QCO that focuses on machinery and electrical equipment, highlighting public safety, health, and environmental protection.

What Is The Omnibus Technical Regulation Order, 2024?

This OTR known as Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety Order, 2024 has been issued by the Ministry Industry of Heavy Industries through its publication notification dated August 28, 2024. The main objective of the Omnibus Technical Regulation is to ensure the safety and compliance of machinery and electrical equipment safety and their assemblies as well as components as per Scheme X of Regulation.

This order refers to every category of machinery or electrical equipment, including their assemblies, sub-assemblies, or any other parts thereof, but subject to certain exceptions noted below:

• For those machinery & components that fall under any other order made under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
• Furthermore, domestically produced goods or articles meant for export are also not covered by this regulation.
• Last, but not least, construction equipment which is subject to the  CMVR Rule 1989 of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway is also excluded. These exemptions are very helpful for compliance as well as for business activity. Based on this notification, this regulation shall come into force on 28th August 2025.

Scope Of The BIS QCO For Machinery & Electrical Equipment

This QCO applies to a wide range of machinery and electrical equipment, including pump compressors, machinery for material treatment cranes, construction, and various types of electrical devices like generators and transformers. The products are categorized into three schedules based on the type of standards they must comply with:

• Type A Standards: General safety principles for machinery design, risk assessment, and risk reduction, such as IS 16819:2018/ISO12100:2010
• Type B Standards: Specific safety aspects like ergonomics or protective devices.
• Type C Standards: Detailed standards for specific machinery types, which take precedence over Type A or B standards if there are contradictions

Important Provisions Of The Machinery And Electrical Equipment Safety (QCO)

The Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024, is a landmark regulation aimed at increasing safety and quality standards for machinery and electrical equipment in India. This comprehensive framework ensures that products meet rigorous Quality Control Orders

1. Compliance With India Standards: Products must meet Type A, B, and C standards for safety.
2. Mandatory Certification: Obtain BIS Standards Mark for listed machinery and electrical equipment.
3. Local Representative: Foreign manufacturers must appoint a local representative.
4. Market Surveillance: Regular checks to ensure compliance 
5. Certification by Notified Bodies: Testing and certification by recognized bodies.
6. Compulsory Marking and Labeling: proper marking with BIS Standards Mark.
7. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Legal consequences for non-compliance 
8.  Implementation Timeline: Compliance deadline of 28th August 2025

Compliance Requirements 

To comply with the QCO, manufacturers must obtain BIS certification, which involves several steps:

1. Registration: Manufacturers must register with BIS through the Manak online portal.
2. Application and Testing: Submit an application, undergo factory audits, and have product samples tested at recognized laboratories.
3. License Granting: After successful testing and audit, a BIS license is granted, allowing the use of the Standards Mark.

How ELT Corporate Can Help?

BIS QCO for machinery and electrical equipment is a significant step toward improving product safety and quality in India. ELT Corporate supports businesses in navigating compliance challenges by providing expert guidance and regulatory solutions. Ensuring follow to BIS standards not only aligns with legal requirements but also strengthens consumer trust and market capability.

For more information on BIS certification and compliance solutions, reach out to ELT Corporate -your trusted partner in regulatory excellence.