The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has released the draft "Stainless Steel Pipes and Tubes (Quality Control) Order, 2024," set to take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.

Stainless steel seamless pipes and tubes for general use must adhere to Indian Standard IS 17875:2022 and display the Standard Mark under a license issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in line with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018. Compliance with this requirement is mandatory within six months of the Order’s publication.

The Order does not apply to goods produced within the country for export purposes.

It also exempts up to 500 kilograms of goods or articles imported annually for research and development purposes by stainless steel pipe and tube manufacturers. These goods cannot be sold commercially and may only be disposed of as scrap. Manufacturers must maintain yearly records of these goods and submit them to the Central Government.

Additionally, the Order does not apply to goods or articles manufactured or imported before its implementation by manufacturers certified by the Bureau or those who have applied for certification. These manufacturers may continue to sell, display, or offer for sale their declared stock for up to six months after the Order comes into effect, provided they submit a declaration to the Bureau.