



India tells WTO it has withdrawn 49 quality control orders since July
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. NEW DELHI : Signalling a recalibration of India’s quality control regime, the Centre has withdrawn a total of 49 quality control orders (QCOs), according to an 8 January communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Of these, while 47 QCOs have been formally rescinded, one has been suspended, and one has been deferred. The rollback follows the recommendation of the high-level committee on non-financial regulatory reforms, chaired by Niti Aayog member and former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba.
Its first report focused on reducing regulatory and compliance burdens on businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including issues such as decriminalization of laws and the ease of doing business. The second report specifically addressed QCOs, examining their impact on the industry and recommending rationalization and phased implementation.
Mint reported on 13 December 2024 that the government was considering provisions that would enable the domestic industry to bypass certain QCOs or seek additional time. The withdrawals span multiple ministries, with the department of chemicals and petrochemicals accounting for the bulk of the rollbacks, having rescinded 38 QCOs covering 39 products.
This is followed by seven QCOs withdrawn by the mining ministry, and two by the textiles ministry, according to the WTO document reviewed by the Mint. Also, the steel ministry has suspended one QCO amendment covering 55 steel products, and the heavy industries ministry has deferred one QCO on electrical equipment covering eight products. The committee presented to different ministries in October, recommended rationalizing or phasing the rollout of several QCOs, especially for raw
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