Small businesses asked to implement quality standard marking on ceiling fans in 9 months

In a bid to ensure the production of quality products, the government has issued a mandatory quality control order (QCO) for ceiling fans, aiming to restrict the import of poor-quality products and promote high-quality domestic production.

The Electric Ceiling Type Fans (Quality Control) Order, 2023 will come into force over a period of 6–12 months for businesses of different sizes, according to a notification by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The order will come into force six months after its release, according to the department's statement, dated August 9.

For small enterprises, as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006), the order will come into effect in nine months, and for micro enterprises, it will come into force in 12 months, according to the department.

The order, which mandates the use of a standard mark under a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards, is applicable to domestic enterprises registered under the MSME ministry's Udyam portal with plant and equipment costs up to Rs 25 lakh and annual turnover up to Rs 2 crore. It does not apply to domestically produced goods meant for export.

The DPIIT also said that non-compliance with the order will be punishable under the Bureau of Indian Standards laws.

In January, ceiling fans were brought under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency's (BEE) mandatory star labelling norms, comparatively softer guidelines than the stricter norms enforced on refrigerators.

Star labelling on electric appliances such as ceiling fans and refrigerators denotes energy savings to the tune of 30-50 per cent. Manufacturers are required to display star ratings —  between one and five stars — on fans.

The domestic fan market is estimated to be worth around Rs 10,000 crore.

(With inputs from PTI)