Quality control order on Furniture

On 12 February 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued the Furniture (Quality Control) Amended Order, 2026, thereby mandating compulsory certification under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) framework for specified categories of furniture products.

Although the original Quality Control Order (QCO) was promulgated in 2025, its enforcement was deferred until February 2026 pursuant to representations received from industry stakeholders. Consequent to the notification dated 12 February 2026, the amended Order has now come into force with effect from the date of its publication.

From a regulatory standpoint, the said QCO is intended to ensure conformity with prescribed Indian Standards, restrict the import and sale of sub-standard furniture products within the domestic market, and safeguard the interests of indigenous manufacturers. The measure is also aligned with the policy objectives of the Make in India initiative, aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity.

Conversely, the Order may impose substantial compliance and operational challenges upon enterprises whose supply chains are predominantly import-oriented, particularly those reliant on sourcing from outside India. In the absence of timely procurement of BIS certification or identification of compliant alternative supply sources, such entities may face business disruptions, regulatory exposure, and potential adverse financial implications.

However, the amended Order provides certain relaxations in respect of outstanding stock that was imported or manufactured prior to the implementation of the said Quality Control Order. This exemption is available to manufacturers who are already certified by the Bureau, as well as to those manufacturers who have applied to the Bureau for certification of the relevant goods or articles.

It also prescribes a limit of up to 200 units per financial year for import for the purpose of research and development by a manufacturer certified by the Bureau or by a manufacturer who has applied to the Bureau for certification of such goods or articles. This relaxation is subject to the condition that such imported goods or articles shall not be sold commercially and shall be disposed of as scrap. The manufacturer is further required to maintain year-wise records of such goods or articles and furnish the same to the Central Government.

However, where an importer proposes to import furniture that does not fall within the categories specified under the Quality Control Order, a requirement for obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) may arise. In such cases, the importer may be required to obtain the NOC from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) prior to import of such furniture.