In order to enable consumption of quality steel by the end users, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulated standards for different grade of steel.  Ministry of Steel accordingly issued steel Quality Control Order (QCO) which mandates that the only quality steel conforming to the relevant BIS standard notified under QCO are allowed and sub-standard steel products are not allowed to ensure that only quality steel is made available to the end users & the public at large.  The QCO is applicable to both the domestic steel producers as well as on the steel imported into the country.  The QCO is a measure to ensure availability of quality steel to the end users, not to control steel imports.  However, some steel grades, which are not covered by BIS standards, can be imported with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Ministry of Steel.

The standards for quality of steel are made by BIS after consultation with stakeholders.  Ministry of Steel issues QCOs to enforce the BIS standards.  This is a continuous process and till now 151 QCOs have been issued by Ministry of Steel.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri H.D. kumaraswamy in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

*****

MG/KSR

(Release ID: 2084176) Visitor Counter : 440