He said that with these measures the government is supporting SMEs.
The quality control orders (QCOs) issued by the government for various products will protect SMEs from unfair competition and help curb import of substandard goods, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.
He said that with these measures the government is supporting SMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises).
“We are giving time to SMEs to comply with the QCO requirements,” he said, adding that SMEs will benefit from these orders as “it will put an end to the import of inferior goods at foreign rates from outside the country and thus help the SME sector by protecting it from unfair competition”.
He added that SMEs should not be considered as just small businesses.
The entire ecosystem around big industries and enterprises consists of thousands of SMEs. Without them, they cannot succeed, he said. He added that SMEs are both suppliers and customers of big industries.
The sector also plays an important role in the development of the country’s tourism and infrastructure and contributes significantly to India’s exports.
“Today, several SMEs have registered with the BSE,” he said.
Under these orders, items cannot be manufactured, sold, traded, imported and stored unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. These orders are issued for goods such as smart meters, nuts, bolts and fasteners.
Mandatory QCOs help curb the import of substandard products, prevent unfair trade practices and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers and the environment.
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First publication: Aug 24, 2024 | 6:07 PM IST