According to new reports, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) may introduce a new Quality Control Order (QCO) for a wide range of paper products.
July 07, 2025
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is preparing to roll out a new Quality Control Order (QCO) aimed at a broad spectrum of widely used paper products, according to recent reports. This quality mandate will cover writing and printing papers, coated papers, and packaging boards utilized extensively by the consumer goods sector.
This initiative also emerges in the context of China’s recent decision to halt exports of rare earth magnets—critical components for electric vehicles—to India and several other nations.
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Once implemented, the QCO will require imported consignments to undergo certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This is expected to lead to longer customs clearance times and increased compliance costs for overseas suppliers.
According to Rohit Pandit, secretary general of the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), QCOs ensure the supply of quality products to Indian consumers, prevent unfair trade practices and check the import of substandard products into the country.
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India’s imports of paper and paperboard have been climbing steadily over the past five years. These low-cost imports have placed significant pressure on the domestic paper industry, rendering many small and medium-sized mills financially unsustainable. The proposed QCO is intended to curb these inexpensive imports, thereby safeguarding and promoting the local industry.
