Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India are calling for a phased implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and the creation of a single-window advisory system to enhance their ability to comply with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations. This demand was made during a recent roundtable discussion, as per a statement issued by the India SME Forum on Saturday, 26 April 2025.

The forum, which represents the interests of Indian MSMEs, highlighted that unclear transitional timelines, inadequate support mechanisms, and the lack of accessible tools are significant roadblocks for small businesses trying to align with QCOs. These quality mandates, issued by the BIS under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), aim to ensure the manufacturing and sale of standardised, high-quality goods. However, MSMEs believe the current rollout mechanisms are making compliance difficult, particularly for smaller players without deep financial or regulatory resources.

Major Concerns Highlighted by MSMEs

During the meeting, industry representatives urged that regulatory frameworks should enable MSME growth by focusing on clarity, fairness, and preparedness. These attributes are considered essential to enhance competitiveness, drive quality improvements, and boost exports.

A pressing issue raised by MSMEs pertains to the non-inclusion of inventory manufactured or imported prior to QCO notifications. Under current rules, this legacy stock may be deemed non-compliant, leading to massive financial losses as goods cannot be sold legally. Business owners highlighted this as an urgent matter requiring government intervention to provide clarity or exemption for such inventory.

Another challenge relates to the BIS online portal, which MSMEs say lacks intuitive tools to help them identify which standards apply to their specific products. Without easy access to such information or automated certificate verification, many small businesses are forced to seek costly third-party assistance, further increasing the compliance burden.

Collaborative Solutions and Education Campaigns

In response to these challenges, the India SME Forum, in collaboration with Amazon India, has launched a seller education campaign aimed at supporting MSMEs in their journey toward regulatory compliance. The initiative focuses on awareness and understanding of QCOs, BIS certification, and other quality control frameworks.

Amit Nanda, Director of Selling Partner Service at Amazon India, emphasised the company's commitment to helping small sellers succeed. “We work closely with sellers in their journey to earn customer trust and achieve growth by being compliant,” said Nanda. He further added that Amazon’s initiative equips MSMEs with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the digital economy while meeting mandatory regulatory standards.

This partnership is part of Amazon’s broader commitment to digitally empower MSMEs across the country. Through structured sessions, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guidance, the campaign aims to demystify compliance processes for thousands of small sellers operating across various sectors.

A Call for Strengthened Collaboration

Vinod Kumar, President of the India SME Forum, stressed the importance of improving coordination between MSMEs and government bodies. He noted that enhanced collaboration would lead to better preparedness and foster a more transparent regulatory ecosystem, especially in the digital commerce space.

Kumar urged the BIS and DPIIT to consider introducing phased implementation strategies, particularly for new QCOs that directly affect high-volume manufacturing categories. He also recommended the introduction of a centralised helpdesk to resolve seller queries regarding applicable standards and pending certifications.

Need for a Balanced Regulatory Ecosystem

While the purpose of QCOs is to raise product quality and align with international standards, stakeholders argue that without an MSME-friendly rollout, these regulations may inadvertently stifle small business growth. Most MSMEs operate with limited working capital, and sudden compliance costs can disrupt their business continuity.

Additionally, the need for simplified digital tools, language support, and standardised documentation was emphasised. Business owners explained that language barriers and technical jargon in BIS documentation often lead to misinterpretations, causing either over-compliance or unintentional violations.

With India aspiring to become a global manufacturing hub under initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', the role of MSMEs is seen as pivotal. Industry experts believe that making regulatory compliance more accessible will enhance India’s export capabilities, build global consumer trust, and create jobs across rural and semi-urban regions.

Conclusion

The growing chorus of MSMEs urging a phased rollout of QCOs and improved compliance tools reflects a genuine need to harmonise quality enforcement with ground realities. As India tightens its product standardisation norms in pursuit of global benchmarks, ensuring that small businesses aren’t left behind becomes essential.

With educational efforts by platforms like Amazon and policy recommendations from the India SME Forum, there is now a strong momentum to address compliance gaps. By streamlining certification processes and introducing supportive digital tools, India can transform these regulations from barriers into building blocks for the country's MSME-led growth story.

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