Govt extends quality control order deadline to October; aims to boost electrical appliance supply

The government on Monday extended the implementation timeline for the mandatory quality control order (QCO) on certain electrical appliances by six months till October, PTI reported."It shall come into force on the 1st of October, 2026," the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said in a notification. The QCO is applicable to all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial or similar applications with rated voltage not exceeding 250 volts for single-phase appliances and 480 volts for other appliances, including direct current (DC) supplied and battery-operated appliances.Goods covered under the order include household electrical appliances such as vacuum cleaners, cooking ranges, frying pans, appliances for heating liquids, electric heating tools and electric steam cookers.The implementation timeline had earlier been extended in May 2025 till March this year.The move assumes significance as the government is encouraging companies to ramp up production of induction heaters and compatible utensils amid rising demand for these products due to concerns over LPG availability following the West Asia crisis.The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting oil and gas supplies and prompting consumers to shift towards alternative cooking solutions such as induction-based appliances.