FIPPI Appeals to BIS for Supportive Implementation of QCOs for Micro Plywood Units

The Federation of Indian Plywood and Panel Industry (FIPPI) has formally urged the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to adopt a more supportive and phased approach in implementing the mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for micro and small-scale plywood manufacturers.

In a letter addressed to the BIS Director General on 3rd July, FIPPI President Rajesh Mittal highlighted the severe difficulties faced by thousands of traditional, family-run plywood units across the country. These units, he said, are grappling with the technical and financial burden of sudden compliance without adequate support, awareness, or transition planning.

The industry body has raised key concerns including lack of clarity on pre-QCO stock, high cost of compliance, and fear of penal actions such as factory raids, product seizures, and prosecution. Many micro units, already struggling with raw material shortages and lack of trained staff, are unable to meet BIS requirements such as in-house testing labs and detailed product records.

FIPPI has made several recommendations to ease the transition:

• Provision of a transition window for pre-QCO stock.
• BIS inspections with a focus on guidance instead of penal action.
•  Relaxations in the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) norms for micro units.
• Organization of regional BIS facilitation camps, training programs, and shared testing infrastructure.

The federation stressed that compliance for micro enterprises is only becoming mandatory by August 2025, and immediate steps are required to ensure their survival and integration into the quality ecosystem.

The letter has also been forwarded to the Director of DPIIT, requesting government intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands dependent on this vitasector.

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