Introduction
The Ministry of Textiles has notified the Ropes and Cordages (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016. Effective from 5 June 2026, the notification makes a limited amendment to the existing Ropes and Cordages Quality Control Order by inserting a new proviso into Clause 3 of the principal Order.
Rather than revising the entire compliance framework, the amendment provides a temporary exemption for a specific category of products manufactured using recycled plastic waste. Manufacturers, importers, and compliance professionals should understand both the scope and the limits of this change before drawing conclusions about BIS applicability.
What is the Ropes and Cordages Quality Control Order?
The Ropes and Cordages Quality Control Order is a Quality Control Order (QCO) issued by the Government of India to make compliance with specified Indian Standards mandatory for notified rope and cordage products.
The principal Order was notified on 3 October 2024. The latest amendment does not replace that framework. Instead, it inserts an additional provision within Clause 3 relating to one category of products manufactured from recycled plastic waste.
What Changed Under the Ropes and Cordages Quality Control Order?
The 2026 amendment inserts a new proviso into Clause 3 of the principal Order.
The newly inserted provision states that the Order shall not apply for a period of twelve months to goods or articles specified against Serial Number 7 of the Schedule, provided those goods are manufactured using recycled plastic waste.
Summary of the Amendment
| Particular | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Notification | Ropes and Cordages (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 |
| Effective Date | 5 June 2026 |
| Amendment Type | Insertion of a new proviso |
| Clause Amended | Clause 3 |
| Products Covered | Schedule Serial No. 7 products made from recycled plastic waste |
| Exemption Period | 12 months from publication |
Scope of Applicability
The notification provides a limited exemption and should be read strictly as issued.
| Category | Covered? | Evidence from Notification |
|---|---|---|
| All ropes and cordages | No | The amendment only refers to Schedule Serial No. 7. |
| Products under Schedule Serial No. 7 are made from recycled plastic waste | Yes | Specifically exempted for twelve months. |
| Other products covered by the 2024 QCO | No change stated | No amendment affecting other entries. |
| Indian Standards | No amendment stated | The notification does not revise any IS standard. |
Technical Understanding
At a regulatory level, this amendment does not alter the structure of the Quality Control Order.
The notification:
- does not amend Indian Standards;
- does not revise BIS certification procedures;
- does not modify licensing requirements; and
- does not replace the principal QCO.
Instead, it introduces a temporary exclusion from the applicability of the Order for one identified category of products manufactured using recycled plastic waste.
What This Means for Businesses
Manufacturers
Manufacturers producing products listed under Schedule Serial Number 7 should review whether their products are manufactured from recycled plastic waste and whether the exemption applies to their specific product category.
Importers
Importers should not assume that the amendment exempts all rope and cordage products from BIS-related requirements. Product classification under the Schedule remains an important consideration.
Compliance Teams
Compliance professionals should:
- review the amended Clause 3;
- verify product classification;
- document eligibility where relying on the exemption; and
- monitor future notifications issued before the expiry of the twelve-month period.
What This Does NOT Mean
The notification should not be interpreted more broadly than its text.
It does not mean:
- every rope or cordage product is exempt from the Quality Control Order;
- BIS certification requirements have been withdrawn;
- the principal QCO has been repealed;
- Indian Standards have been revised; or
- the exemption is permanent.
Similarly, an amendment to a Quality Control Order should not automatically be interpreted as changing the applicability of every product covered under that Order.
Key Takeaways
- The Ministry of Textiles has issued the Ropes and Cordages (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026.
- The amendment inserts a new proviso into Clause 3 of the principal Order.
- Products listed under Schedule Serial Number 7 and manufactured from recycled plastic waste receive a twelve-month exemption.
- The remaining provisions of the Ropes and Cordages Quality Control Order continue unchanged unless separately notified.
FAQs
1. What is the Ropes and Cordages Quality Control Order?
It is a Quality Control Order issued by the Government of India that mandates compliance with specified Indian Standards for notified rope and cordage products.
2. What changed in the 2026 amendment?
The amendment inserts a proviso providing a twelve-month exemption for products listed under Schedule Serial Number 7 when manufactured from recycled plastic waste.
3. Does the amendment remove BIS certification requirements?
The notification itself does not state that BIS certification requirements have been withdrawn for all products. It only introduces a limited exemption for the specified category.
4. Does the amendment apply to every rope and cordage product?
No. The notification specifically refers to products listed under Schedule Serial Number 7.
5. How long is the exemption available?
The exemption applies for twelve months from the publication of the amendment order.
6. Which authority issued this notification?
The notification has been issued by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Official References
- Official Gazette Notification: https://www.bis.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ropes-and-cordagesquality-control-amendment-order-2026.pdf
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): https://www.bis.gov.in
- Ministry of Textiles: https://texmin.nic.in
How NKG Advisory Can Help
Understanding whether a Quality Control Order applies to your product often requires more than reading the notification itself. NKG Advisory assists manufacturers, importers, and compliance teams with QCO applicability assessments, BIS certification support, product classification, regulatory gap analysis, and ongoing compliance monitoring to help businesses navigate evolving regulatory requirements.
For guidance on BIS registration, certification procedures, or factory audit preparation, contact NKG Advisory at www.nkgabc.com or write to navraj@nkgabc.com.
