The central government has announced an extension of the implementation deadline for the mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO) on household and commercial electrical appliances by one year, pushing it to March 2026. The decision follows extensive consultations with industry stakeholders to ensure smoother compliance and support ease of doing business.
The revised timeline applies to all electrical appliances designed for household, commercial, or similar use, with rated voltages not exceeding 250 volts for single-phase appliances and 480 volts for other types, including direct current (DC) and battery-operated devices. However, appliances already covered under any other QCO will remain exempt from this order.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) stated that the horizontal QCO on electrical appliance safety had been thoroughly discussed during a stakeholder meeting held on May 15, chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. During the meeting, industry representatives highlighted implementation challenges and concerns over legacy stock, prompting the government to extend the timeline.
According to the new schedule, the order will take effect from March 19, 2026, for large and medium domestic manufacturers as well as foreign producers. Small enterprises have been granted an additional three months for compliance, while micro enterprises will receive an extra six months.
The Quality Control Order on Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (2025) forms part of India’s broader initiative to build a robust quality assurance framework and curb the import of substandard products. The government believes that this move, along with the establishment of advanced testing laboratories and the release of detailed product manuals, will strengthen India’s quality ecosystem and enhance consumer safety.
