Law Updates

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued the Cookware, Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2025 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. This order supersedes the 2024 notification and ensures mandatory quality compliance for cookware, utensils, and cans used in food and beverage packaging.
As per the order, goods listed in the official Table of Standards - including stainless steel utensils (IS 14756:2024), wrought aluminium utensils (IS 1660:2024), stainless steel sinks (IS 13983:1994), three-piece round open-top metal cans (IS 18427:2024), and aluminium beverage cans (IS 14407:2023) - must conform to Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under a valid license.
The order comes into effect from 1st October 2025 for general manufacturers, with extended deadlines for small enterprises (1st January 2026) and micro enterprises (1st April 2026). Exemptions apply to export goods, R&D imports, and small-scale manufacturers registered under Udyam with limited investment and turnover.
The BIS will act as the certifying and enforcement authority, and any violation will attract penalties under the BIS Act, 2016, ensuring consumer safety, standardization, and quality compliance across the cookware and packaging sector.