On January 16, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued the Refrigerating Appliances (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, which amends the existing Refrigerating Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2020.
The amendment introduces key provisions concerning the import of components for refrigerating appliances, providing some exemptions for certified manufacturers. Here are the details of the changes:
Key Amendments:
Exemption for Import of Components for Export (Paragraph 2 – Compulsory Use of Standard Mark):
- The amendment allows manufacturers of refrigerating appliances, who are either certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or have applied for certification, to import components for export purposes without the need to comply with the compulsory use of the Standard Mark.
- Conditions for exemption:
- The manufacturer must submit a self-declaration on their company letterhead, signed by an authorized signatory, to the Central Government.
- The self-declaration must include details such as the invoice number and other relevant information regarding the import consignment.
- The manufacturer must provide an undertaking stating that the imported components will not be sold in the domestic market and will only be used for manufacturing goods for export.
- The manufacturer is required to maintain detailed records of the imported components and the finished products, which may be subject to verification or audit by relevant authorities.
Exemption for Research and Development (R&D) Purposes:
- The amendment also provides an exemption for small quantities of goods or articles imported for research and development (R&D) purposes.
- Conditions for exemption:
- A maximum of 200 units per year of goods or articles can be imported for R&D purposes by a manufacturer who is certified by the Bureau or has applied for certification.
- These goods must not be sold commercially and must either be disposed of as scrap or used solely for R&D.
- The manufacturer must maintain a year-wise record of such imports and furnish this record to the Central Government for review.
Conclusion:
The Refrigerating Appliances (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025 introduces important updates for manufacturers involved in the importation of components for refrigerating appliances. The amendments offer flexibility for those involved in export production and research, allowing them to bypass certain regulatory requirements, provided they comply with specific documentation and record-keeping protocols.
