Monthly Compliance Newsletter– October 2026 Dear Industry Stakeholder, This edition covers the latest round of regulatory developments from CDSCO / Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, FSSAI, CPCB / MoEFCC, the Ministry of Power / BEE / BIS, MeitY, and DPIIT — spanning draft rules on emergency contraceptive warnings, a proposed ban on certain veterinary antibiotics, draft CCTV requirements for pharmacies, a public health alert on unauthorised cosmetics, an advisory on painkiller and antibiotic overuse, a proposed restriction on calling non-dairy products "paneer", extended annual return deadlines for plastic packaging, new gas stove and LPG stove compliance requirements, extended BIS deadlines for LED lamps, LED luminaires, television receivers, and irrigation filters, fresh CRS registration guidance for wearable/AR-VR devices and screen protectors, a sweeping new safety order covering 90 categories of household and commercial electrical appliances, a draft quality control order for commercial pressure cookers, a new CPCB fee schedule for the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 portal, mandatory veg/non-veg dot marking on soap, shampoo, toothpaste and cosmetics labels, and BIS/DPIIT updates on bimetal bandsaw blades, TFQCO Scheme II applications and stainless steel vacuum flasks. This edition of Regulatory Compliance Insights brings you a consolidated, easy-to-follow rundown of these notifications, along with the compliance deadlines you need to track.

Drugs & Cosmetics Regulation — CDSCO / Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Draft Rules Propose Boxed Warnings for Emergency Contraceptive Pills — Draft G.S.R. 792(E), dated 3 September 2026 CDSCO has proposed adding Levonorgestrel Tablets 0.75mg/1.5mg (the emergency contraceptive pill) to the exemption list under Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, but with mandatory boxed warnings on the packaging and package insert. The proposed warnings make clear that the pill is for emergency use only and not a substitute for regular contraception, that frequent use can cause side effects and users should see a doctor for regular contraception options, that it is not an abortion pill, and that it offers no protection against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.  Statutory Reference: Draft G.S.R. 792(E), F. No. X.11014/13/2026-DR, MoHFW — Gazette of India, 3 September 2026  Comment Window: 30 days from the date the gazette copies are made available to the public  Comments To: Under Secretary (Drugs), MoHFW, U-6, Work Hall-C Wing, 1st Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi-110001, or drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in  Issued by: Pushpendra Rajput, Joint Secretary  Action for Industry: Manufacturers and marketers of Levonorgestrel 0.75mg/1.5mg emergency contraceptive tablets should prepare to update packaging and package inserts with the four prescribed boxed warnings once this draft is finalised.

Draft Notification Proposes Ban on Carboxypenicillins & Phosphonic Acid Derivatives for Animal Use — Draft S.O. 4996(E), dated 3 September 2026 Carboxypenicillin and Phosphonic acid derivative antibiotics for use in animals, on the grounds that their use in livestock poses a risk to human health (via antimicrobial resistance) and that safer alternatives are available for veterinary use.  Statutory Reference: Draft S.O. 4996(E), F. No. X.11035/125/2024-DR, MoHFW — Gazette of India, 3 September 2026  Comment Window: 30 days from the date the gazette copies are made available to the public  Comments To: Under Secretary (Drugs), MoHFW, U-6, Work Hall-C Wing, 1st Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi-110001, or drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in  Issued by: Pushpendra Rajput, Joint Secretary  Action for Industry: Veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors dealing in Carboxypenicillins or Phosphonic acid derivatives should start identifying safer alternative formulations and review their animal-health product portfolios ahead of a possible ban. Draft Rules Propose Mandatory CCTV at Retail Pharmacies Selling Prescription Drugs — Draft G.S.R. 791(E), dated 8 September 2026 CDSCO has proposed a new sub-rule under Rule 65 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 requiring that any retail (non-wholesale) supply of a drug against a Registered Medical Practitioner's prescription be made under CCTV surveillance installed and maintained at the licensed premises, with recordings preserved for a minimum of three months.

 Statutory Reference: Draft G.S.R. 791(E), F. No. X.11014/15/2026-DR, MoHFW — Gazette of India, 8 September 2026  Comment Window: 30 days from the date the gazette copies are made available to the public  Comments To: Under Secretary (Drugs), MoHFW, U-6, Work Hall-C Wing, 1st Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi-110001, or drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in  Issued by: Pushpendra Rajput, Joint Secretary Action for Industry: Retail pharmacies and chemists should start budgeting for CCTV installation covering their prescription-sale counters and plan for a minimum 3-month recording retention policy, as this requirement looks likely to become mandatory. CDSCO Public Health Alert: Two Unauthorized Pakistani Cosmetic Brands Found With Excess Heavy Metals — Public Notice dated 8 September 2026 CDSCO has issued a public alert flagging two cosmetic products — Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, both made in Pakistan — as unauthorized for sale in India. Neither product has been issued an import registration certificate, and CDSCO's testing found both contain heavy metals beyond permitted limits, posing a health risk including toxic effects. The public has been advised not to purchase or use these or similarly named products, to buy only cosmetics carrying a valid manufacturing licence number, batch number, and manufacturing/expiry dates (plus a registration number for imports), and to report any labelling violations to the State Drugs Controller or the Drugs Controller General (India).  Statutory Reference: Public Notice, COS-11012/07/2026-eoffice, CDSCO Cosmetics Division, dated 8 September 2026  Effective: Immediate  Issued by: Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India) Action for Industry: Retailers, distributors, and e-commerce platforms should check their cosmetics inventory for these two named products (or similarly branded Pakistani imports) and withdraw them from sale immediately — selling, distributing, or advertising them now invites regulatory action.

CDSCO Advisory on Indiscriminate Use of Painkillers and Antibiotics Linked to Chronic Kidney Disease Risk — Circular dated 21 September 2026 CDSCO has issued an advisory flagging the public health risk from unsupervised, repeated use of NSAIDs (painkillers) and antibiotics, and their link to chronic kidney disease. It reiterates that Schedule H and H1 drugs (which cover most NSAIDs and antibiotics) legally require a Registered Medical Practitioner's prescription and cannot be sold over the counter, and sets out specific responsibilities for the general public (avoid self-medication, don't share leftover antibiotics), healthcare professionals (prescribe only when clinically indicated, lowest effective dose for shortest duration), pharmacists/retailers/distributors (strict compliance with Schedule H/H1 sale conditions, no facilitating self-medication), and hospitals and State/UT drug authorities (strengthen monitoring, antimicrobial stewardship, and public awareness).  Statutory Reference: F. No. Legal-11018(11)/177/2026-eoffice, CDSCO New Drugs Division, Circular dated 21 September 2026  Effective: Immediate  Issued by: Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (I) Action for Industry: Pharmacists, retailers, and wholesalers should tighten compliance with Schedule H/H1 sale conditions (no retail sale of these drugs without a valid prescription) and ensure prescribed warning labels are displayed; hospitals should review their antimicrobial stewardship and prescription-review processes.

Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — Food Safety & Regulatory Updates FSSAI Proposes Banning the Word "Paneer" for Non-Dairy Analogue Products — Draft Notification dated 22 September 2026 FSSAI has proposed an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 to stop analogue (non-dairy) products from being labelled, named, or marketed as "paneer" — a move aimed at preventing consumers from being misled about a product's true nature and composition. Products already licensed or registered under the "Analogue in Dairy Context" category will have to drop the word "paneer" from their naming, labelling, and marketing. The draft proposes adding a clause defining "paneer made of constituents not derived from milk" as a distinct, restricted category.  Statutory Reference: Draft F. No. RCD-15001/1/2024-Regulatory-FSSAI — Gazette of India, 22/23 September 2026  Comment Window: 60 days from the date the gazette copies are made available to the public  Comments To: CEO, FSSAI, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi-110002, or regulation@fssai.gov.in  Issued by: Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI  Action for Industry: Manufacturers of soy-based, vegetable-fat-based, or other non- dairy "analogue" paneer-style products should start planning a rebrand — once finalised, continuing to use "paneer" in the name, label, or marketing of a non-dairy product will no longer be permitted.

Environment, Waste Management & Pollution Control — CPCB / MoEFCC Plastic Packaging: Annual Return Deadlines for PWPs and PIBOs Extended — MoEFCC OM dated 28 August 2026 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted a special-case extension for filing FY 2025-26 annual returns under the Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023. Registered Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) now have until 31 October 2026, and Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) until 31 December 2026, to file their annual returns. CPCB has also been asked to address pending EPR portal issues on priority during this extended window.  Statutory Reference: F. No. 12/64/2023-HSM Part (1), MoEFCC Office Memorandum dated 28 August 2026  Revised Deadlines: PWPs: 31 October 2026; PIBOs: 31 December 2026 (both for FY 2025-26 annual returns)  Issued by: Amit Raj, Director, MoEFCC Action for Industry: Plastic Waste Processors and Producers/Importers/Brand Owners should note their respective extended deadlines are different from each other — PWPs get until 31 October, PIBOs until 31 December — so plan your filing timeline according to which category you fall under.

CPCB Notifies Portal Fee Structure for Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 — Guidelines dated September 2026 CPCB has issued guidelines for the fees payable by obligated entities for using the Centralised Online Portal for registration and annual return filing under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 (notified 27 January 2026; in force from 1 April 2026). Fees apply to bulk waste generators (BWGs), operators of solid waste processing facilities, entities sorting waste at Material Recovery Facilities, industrial units and Waste-to-Energy plants using RDF/SCF/agri-residue, RDF and MRF-cum-RDF plants, and sanitary landfill operators. Local bodies, State Governments and the Central Government are exempt. Registration is a one-time fee, and 25% of it is payable each year as the annual processing fee when filing returns. Fees are paid online and shared 50:50 between CPCB and the concerned SPCB/PCC. The fee schedule is: (1) BWGs, by waste generated per day — below 500 kg: Rs. 1,000 residential / Rs. 1,500 institutional / Rs. 2,000 commercial; 500–2,000 kg: Rs. 2,500 / Rs. 3,750 / Rs. 5,000; above 2,000 kg: Rs. 5,000 / Rs. 7,500 / Rs. 10,000. (2) Processing facilities and industrial units, by installed capacity — below 5 TPD: Rs. 1,500; 5–50 TPD: Rs. 2,500; 51– 200 TPD: Rs. 5,000; above 200 TPD: Rs. 7,500. (3) Sanitary landfills, by capacity — below 100 TPD: Rs. 2,000; 100–500 TPD: Rs. 3,500; 501–1,500 TPD: Rs. 5,000; above 1,500 TPD: Rs. 7,000.  Statutory Reference: CPCB Guidelines for levy of fees for use of the Centralized online portal for registration and filing of annual returns by obligated entities under SWM Rules, 2026 (September 2026), under Rules 16(8) and 41(1)(xv)  Annual Return Deadline: 30 June every year (as specified under the SWM Rules, 2026)  Issued by: Central Pollution Control Board Action for Industry: Bulk waste generators, waste processing facility operators, RDF/MRF plants, RDF-using industrial units and landfill operators should identify their fee slab, register on the portal, and budget for the annual 25% processing fee at the time of filing returns. Non- registration, non-payment or delayed or false returns may attract action under the SWM Rules, 2026.

Latest BIS Regulations, Notifications & Compliance Updates BIS Issues Guidelines for Amended LPG Gas Stove Standard IS 4246:2025 — Deadline 28 December 2026 BIS has published Amendment No. 1 to IS 4246:2025 (Domestic Gas Stove and Built-in Hob, for use with Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and issued implementation guidelines. Key changes include new specifications for injector jets (must be metal, with or without a ceramic tip, with a melting point of at least 650°C), mandatory marking of jet size in L/h at STP, a new gas consumption test requirement for stoves with two or more jets on one knob, an option to provide instruction cards in Braille, and new aluminium-pan requirements for thermal efficiency testing at higher gas rates. All licensees must implement the amendment by 28 December 2026, and no licence will be issued without the amendment after that date. Applications already in process with test reports issued may continue without the amendment, but any new applications recorded from now on may only proceed without the amendment up to 28 December 2026, with a declaration that the amendment will be implemented by then.  Statutory Reference: BIS Central Marks Department-III, Ref. CMD-3/16: IS 4246, Guidelines dated 31 August 2026  Implementation Deadline: 28 December 2026  Issued by: Rakesh Kumar, Scientist 'E' / Director (CMD III), BIS Action for Industry: Domestic gas stove and hob manufacturers/licensees should submit component test certificates and updated marking compliance evidence well before 28 December 2026, and factor in the revised Product Manual (Doc: PM/IS 4246/6/August 2026) for inspection and testing.

BIS Extends Implementation Deadlines for LED Lamp and LED Luminaire Standards to 2 February 2027 The Bureau of Indian Standards has given manufacturers more time to comply with a whole set of revised LED standards. This covers self-ballasted LED lamps under IS 16102 (Part 1):2026, as well as seven categories of LED luminaires under the revised IS 10322 series — Fixed General Purpose LED Luminaires (and Fancy Lights), Recessed LED Luminaires, LED Luminaires for Road and Street Lighting, LED Flood Lights, LED Hand Lamps, LED Lighting Chains, and LED Luminaires for Emergency Lighting. For all of these, the last date up to which the old and revised standards can run in parallel has been pushed to 2 February 2027; all other terms of the original guidelines remain unchanged.  Statutory Reference: BIS letters Ref. IS 16102 (Part 1)/02 and Ref. Reg./IS 10322 Series/Guidelines/02, both dated 31 July 2026  Revised Deadline: 2 February 2027 (last date of concurrent running of old and revised standards) Action for Industry: Manufacturers of LED lamps and any of the seven LED luminaire categories listed above now have until 2 February 2027 to complete testing and registration against the revised standards — useful extra runway, but best not left until the deadline nears, especially since BEE's star-rating changes for LED lamps kick in from 1 January 2027 regardless. BIS Confirms Extended Implementation Date for Television Receiver Standard IS 18112 — 26 January 2027

BIS has issued updated guidelines confirming that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has further extended the implementation date for mandatory BIS certification of Digital Television Receivers for Satellite Broadcast Transmission (IS 18112) under the Compulsory Registration Order. This aligns with MeitY's own gazette notification extending the deadline to 26 January 2027 — this BIS circular simply confirms the same date for registration and testing purposes and updates the applicable implementation guidelines accordingly.  Statutory Reference: BIS letter Ref. Reg/IS 18112/Guidelines/06, dated 31 July 2026 (read with MeitY's notification and BIS Guidelines Ref. Reg/IS 18112/Guidelines/04, dated 14 October 2025)  Revised Implementation Date: 26 January 2027  Issued by: Sonali Gupta, Scientist C / Deputy Director, Head (Registration), BIS Action for Industry: Television manufacturers and importers should treat 26 January 2027 as the confirmed date for mandatory IS 18112 registration — worth double-checking your compliance calendar reflects this BIS-confirmed date. BIS Extends Withdrawal Date for Strainer-Type Irrigation Filter Standard IS 12785:1994 to 20 January 2027 BIS has given a further six-month extension to the withdrawal date of IS 12785:1994 (the standard for strainer-type irrigation filters). The standard, previously due to be withdrawn on 20 July 2026, will now remain applicable until 20 January 2027.  Revised Withdrawal Date: 20 January 2027 (previously 20 July 2026)  Issued by: Bureau of Indian Standards Action for Industry: Manufacturers of strainer-type irrigation filters certified under IS 12785:1994 have an additional six months before needing to transition to the successor standard — use the extended window to plan the changeover rather than treating it as indefinite.

BEE Reminds Domestic LPG Stove Makers and Importers of Mandatory Star Labelling: Advisory dated 24 September 2026 The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has issued an advisory to all manufacturers, importers, permittees and traders of domestic LPG stoves on compliance with the mandatory Standards & Labelling (S&L) programme, which has applied to domestic LPG stoves since 1 January 2026. All stove models sold in India must be approved and star-rated by BEE, and everyone engaged in selling them must follow BEE's Appliance Labelling and compliance regulations. BEE has warned that non-compliant manufacturers and permittees may face penalties and other action under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and its rules and regulations. The BEE S&L portal has been running under the revised guidelines since January 2026, and stakeholders are asked to register their brands, companies and models on it.  Statutory Reference: BEE advisory ref. BEE/S&L/LPG Stove/08/2024-25, dated 24 September 2026, following BEE's earlier advisory of 5 January 2026. The S&L programme was notified in the Gazette of India vide S.O. 3582(E) and S.O. 3620(E) dated 4 August 2025, and the regulations were published on 26 December 2025.  Effective: Mandatory S&L regime for domestic LPG stoves from 1 January 2026  Who Is Covered: Manufacturers, importers, permittees and traders of domestic LPG stoves  Consequence of Non-Compliance: Penalties and other measures under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001  Issued by: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power (N. Mohan, Director, S&L)  Action for Industry: Confirm that every LPG stove model you sell is BEE star-rated. Register your brand, company and models on the BEE S&L portal, using the BEE S&L Manual (DISHA) at beestarlabel.com for the registration steps. Check that traders and distributors are not selling unapproved models. Action Checklist line: Domestic LPG stove manufacturers, importers, permittees and traders: make sure all models are BEE star-rated and registered on the S&L portal, since the S&L regime has been mandatory since 1 January 2026.

Electronics, Information Technology & Digital Standards — MeitY / BIS BIS Issues Registration Guidance for Wearable Glasses and Extended Reality Devices — dated 13 August 2026 BIS has issued a product-categorisation guide for companies applying for Compulsory Registration under the Electronics and IT Goods (CRS) Order, 2021, specifically for wearable glasses and extended reality (XR) devices — a fast-growing category that didn't have clear-cut filing guidance until now. Applicants must now file under specific categories: Audio Glasses (under Wireless Earphones & Headphones), Smart Glasses (under Digital or Video Camera, depending on whether they capture photos only or photos and video), and AR/MR Glasses (under Extended Reality Products). A separate table also breaks the Extended Reality Products category itself into AR Glasses, Other AR Devices, VR Headsets, MR Glasses, and Other MR Devices. Each distinct product name requires its own separate licence.  Statutory Reference: BIS letter Ref. Reg/2026/G-01, dated 13 August 2026, issued under the Electronics and IT Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021  Effective: Immediate — applies to fresh CRS applications for these product categories  Issued by: Sonali Gupta, Scientist C / Deputy Director, Head (Registration), BIS Action for Industry: Manufacturers and importers of audio glasses, smart glasses, AR glasses, MR glasses, VR headsets, or other XR devices should file (or re-check existing) CRS applications under the specific category, sub-category, and product name laid out in this guidance, since each distinct product name needs its own licence.

Smartphone Glass Screen Protectors Added to Compulsory Registration Scheme — S.O. 5190(E), dated 21 September 2026 MeitY has added glass screen protectors for smartphones to the Schedule of the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, at Serial No. 66, requiring them to conform to IS 19348:2025 (Glass Screen Protector — Specification) and carry mandatory BIS registration.  Statutory Reference: S.O. 5190(E), F. No. W-47/8/2023-IPHW, MeitY — Gazette of India, 21 September 2026  Compliance Deadline: 1 April 2027  Issued by: Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary Action for Industry: Manufacturers and importers of glass screen protectors for smartphones should begin testing against IS 19348:2025 and apply for CRS registration well ahead of the 1 April 2027 compliance deadline. Legal Metrology — Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Veg / Non-Veg Dot Marking Mandated on Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste and Cosmetics Labels — G.S.R. 826(E), dated 21 September 2026 The Department of Consumer Affairs has notified the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026. A new clause (d) is added to Rule 6(4A)

requiring that, for soap, shampoo, toothpaste, other cosmetics and toiletries, the top of the principal display panel carries a red dot (or, as the case may be, a brown dot) for products of non-vegetarian origin and a green dot for products of vegetarian origin. The amendment also omits sub-rule (8) of Rule 6. The rules came into force on the date of their publication in the Gazette.  Statutory Reference: G.S.R. 826(E), F. No. I-7/7/2015-W&M, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution — Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3(i), No. 756, 21 September 2026 (principal rules last amended by G.S.R. 418(E), 29 May 2026)  Effective: On publication in the Official Gazette, 21 September 2026; the notification does not mention a transition period  Issued by: Anupam Mishra, Additional Secretary Action for Industry: Manufacturers, packers and importers of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, other cosmetics and toiletries should classify each product as vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin and update labels with the correct dot at the top of the principal display panel, and check label stock and artwork in the pipeline against this requirement. Consumer & Commercial Products — DPIIT / BIS Quality Control Orders New Safety Order Brings 90 Categories of Household & Commercial Electrical Appliances Under Mandatory BIS Certification — S.O. 1739(E), dated 6 April 2026 DPIIT has notified the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026, superseding the 2025 version of the same order. It applies to all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial, or similar use with a rated voltage not exceeding 250V (single-phase) or 480V (other appliances, including DC-supplied and battery-operated ones), and covers a very wide sweep of 90 listed appliance categories — from vacuum cleaners, cooking ranges, hobs, ovens, hair clippers, and food processors to commercial kitchen equipment, dishwashers, whirlpool baths, humidifiers, and even DC/battery-operated shavers, blenders, and air purifiers. All these must conform to IS 302 (Part 1):2024 / IEC 60335-1:2020 and carry the BIS

Standard Mark under Scheme-I licensing. The order carves out exceptions for goods made domestically for export, up to 200 units/year imported purely for R&D (provided they're not sold commercially), and stock manufactured or imported before the implementation date by a BIS-certified (or application-pending) manufacturer, which may continue to be sold for up to six months after the implementation date with a declaration to BIS.  Statutory Reference: S.O. 1739(E), F. No. P-29026/36/2023-LEI, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (DPIIT) — Gazette of India, 6 April 2026  Implementation Dates: 1 October 2026 (general); 1 January 2027 (small enterprises); 1 April 2027 (micro enterprises)  Issued by: Nidhi Kesarwani, Joint Secretary Action for Industry: If you manufacture or import any of the 90 listed appliance categories, check your enterprise size against the applicable implementation date (1 Oct 2026 / 1 Jan 2027 / 1 Apr 2027) and ensure BIS Standard Mark licensing is in place before that date — this is an unusually broad order, so cross-check your full product catalogue against the list rather than assuming only your "main" products are covered. Draft Quality Control Order Proposed for Commercial Pressure Cookers A draft Commercial Pressure Cooker (Quality Control) Order, 2026 is under consideration, which would require commercial pressure cookers to conform to IS 17870:2022 (Commercial Pressure Cooker — Specification) and carry the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I licensing. As with other recent QCOs, the draft carves out exceptions for export-only domestic manufacture, up to 200 units/year imported for R&D (not for commercial sale), and a 6-month sell-through window for pre-implementation stock held by BIS-certified or application-pending manufacturers.  Proposed Standard: IS 17870:2022 — Commercial Pressure Cooker — Specification  Proposed Implementation Timeline: General enterprises: 6 months from gazette publication; Small enterprises: 9 months; Micro enterprises: 12 months  Status: Draft order — the gazette date, S.O. number, and signatory were left blank in the draft we reviewed, meaning this has not yet been formally notified Action for Industry: Commercial pressure cooker manufacturers should start planning for IS 17870:2022 compliance and BIS licensing now, since the proposed timelines (6/9/12 months by enterprise size) are short once the order is formally notified — we'll confirm the exact gazette date and deadlines once this is finalised.

DPIIT Issues Draft Quality Control Order on Finished Bimetal Bandsaw Blades DPIIT has issued a draft Quality Control Order (QCO) for finished bimetal bandsaw blades, with BIS as the certifying body. Once notified, finished bimetal blades would have to conform to the applicable Indian Standard and carry the BIS Standard Mark, so they could not be made, imported or sold without BIS certification. The draft is shared for stakeholder comments, and the announcement points to implementation timelines that step up by enterprise size. The exact periods have not been confirmed. Bimetal blades have a high-speed steel cutting edge welded to a tougher steel backing band, and are used for cutting metal on band saw machines. BIS already has a certification product manual for metal-cutting band saw blades under IS 5030 (Part 2):2016 (aligned with ISO 4875-2:2006), which classifies blades as carbon steel, bimetal and friction-cutting. The draft QCO is expected to build on this existing standards framework, but the specific standard it would make mandatory has not been confirmed.  Statutory Reference: Draft Quality Control Order, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for finished bimetal bandsaw blades (the draft's gazette date, number and comment window were not available when this edition was prepared)  Status: Draft order — not yet formally notified  Issued by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Action for Industry: Manufacturers and importers of bimetal bandsaw blades should obtain the draft text and check its scope against their product range, including blade width, thickness and tooth specifications. They should also check whether their products already meet IS 5030 and whether they hold BIS certification, work out the BIS licensing steps and test requirements, and file comments within the stated window if the proposed scope or timelines affect them.

Transition Facilitation QCO: Applicants Can Now Apply Under Scheme II Through the BIS Portal DPIIT's Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (TFQCO) offers an alternative to the usual Scheme I licence for goods covered by ten specified QCOs. Scheme I involves factory assessment and sample testing; Scheme II is a registration based on the manufacturer's self-declaration of conformity. BIS has now enabled applications under Scheme II through its portal. Products must still conform to the applicable Indian Standard, so the change is in the certification route, not in the product requirements. The route is permission-based. The goods must be supplied to a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 that holds DPIIT permission, and the manufacturer must hold a BIS licence under Scheme II. DPIIT grants permission on the recommendation of an Implementation Committee, and the recommendation is approved by the Commerce and Industry Minister. The committee looks at technical capability, quality assurance across the supply chain, compliance history, commitment to building manufacturing or supply chain capability in India, and continuous QCO compliance for at least three years. Applications give the products, proposed annual quantity, 8-digit ITC (HS) codes and the manufacturing facilities; the permission letter then sets the approved products, quantity limits, milestones, validity and approved manufacturers. The specified QCOs cover: Toys; PPE Footwear; Air Conditioners and related parts, Hermetic Compressors and Temperature Sensing Controls; Footwear of rubber and polymeric materials; Footwear of leather and other materials; Electrical appliances for domestic water heating; Electrical appliances for domestic clothes washing; Hinges; Furniture; and Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances.  Statutory Reference: Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (the gazette number and date were not in the material reviewed)  Key Timelines: Applications for permission within 2 years of commencement of the order; the order remains in force for up to 5 years unless extended; permissions are reviewed annually  Ongoing Compliance: Permission holders must keep the goods conforming to the applicable Indian Standards, file quarterly details of consignments and manufacturers' BIS licence status, and submit an annual compliance report certified by a practising

Chartered Accountant within 60 days of the year end. Permission can be suspended or withdrawn for misrepresentation, non-conformity or missed milestones  Issued by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Action for Industry: Manufacturers supplying goods under any of the ten listed QCOs to large buyers should check whether their buyer is applying for DPIIT permission and whether a Scheme II licence through the BIS portal suits their supply arrangement. Buying companies should prepare the DPIIT application, with product, quantity, HS code and facility details, and a plan for the quarterly and annual reporting. BIS Issues Amendment No. 3 to IS 17526:2021 for Domestic Stainless Steel Vacuum Flasks/Bottles — Deadline 24 February 2027 BIS notified Amendment No. 3 (August 2026) to IS 17526:2021 on 1 September 2026. It adds a formal definition of "Mouth of Flask/Bottle" as new Clause 3.5, with a note that mouth size is measured at the inner diameter at the point where the maximum liquid fill occurs, with the flask fully closed. This matters because certification groups flasks by mouth size: wide mouth is above 45 mm and narrow mouth is 45 mm and below. The Product Manual has been revised to PM/IS 17526/4/September 2026, including an updated Scheme of Inspection and Testing. Licensees must implement the amendment by 24 February 2027. No documentary evidence has to be submitted, but products must conform to the amended standard by that date.  Statutory Reference: Amendment No. 3 (August 2026) to IS 17526:2021, notified by BIS on 1 September 2026; Product Manual PM/IS 17526/4/September 2026  Implementation Deadline: 24 February 2027  Issued by: Bureau of Indian Standards Action for Industry: Licensees making stainless steel vacuum flasks and bottles should re- measure mouth size under the new method (inner diameter at maximum fill level, fully closed), check that their wide and narrow mouth classification still holds, and align their quality control and testing with the revised Product Manual before 24 February 2027.

Action Checklist  Levonorgestrel manufacturers/marketers: Prepare the four boxed warnings for packaging and inserts once finalised.  Veterinary pharma companies: Identify alternatives to Carboxypenicillins and Phosphonic acid derivatives.  Retail pharmacies: Plan CCTV installation and 3-month recording retention.  Cosmetics retailers/distributors/e-commerce: Remove Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream from sale.  Pharmacists/retailers/wholesalers: Strengthen Schedule H/H1 sale compliance.  Non-dairy paneer manufacturers: Plan to rebrand away from “paneer” and submit comments within 60 days.  PWPs/PIBOs: File FY 2025–26 annual returns by 31 October / 31 December 2026, respectively.  Gas stove/hob licensees: Implement IS 4246:2025 Amendment No. 1 by 28 December 2026.  Domestic LPG stove manufacturers/importers: Ensure BEE portal registration and star-rating compliance.  LED manufacturers: Complete revised IS 16102/IS 10322 testing and registration by 2 February 2027.  Television manufacturers/importers: Meet IS 18112 requirements by 26 January 2027.  Irrigation filter manufacturers: Note the revised IS 12785 withdrawal date: 20 January 2027.  Wearable/AR-VR-MR manufacturers: File/re-check CRS applications under the correct category.  Screen protector manufacturers/importers: Test and register under CRS before 1 April 2027.  Electrical appliance manufacturers/importers: Confirm BIS licensing timelines based on enterprise size.  Commercial pressure cooker manufacturers: Prepare for IS 17870:2022 / BIS licensing.