Law Updates

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has informed the Cross Recessed Screws Quality Control Order, under Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. This order swaps the 2024 version and comes into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Under this directive, all stated cross-recessed screws must adhere with relevant Indian standards and carry BIS standard mark, which is secured through a license under Scheme I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

However, some categories are exempt. These consist of manufactured goods for export, imports used in finished products or sub-assemblies, and imports by domestic producers for export manufacturing. Micro and Small Enterprises, as defined under the MSME Act, 2006, are exempted on the basis of the timelines stated in the Order. Udyam registered enterprises have an investment not exceeding Rs 25 lakh and turnover less than Rs 2 crore are also excluded. In addition, imports of up to 200 kg per year for R&D purposes by OEMs are permitted, with restrictions on commercial use and the need to maintain records.

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.

The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, has issued a notification on 18th August 2025 under the Customs Act, 1962 and the Finance Act, 2021. Through this notification, the Central Government has granted full exemption from customs duty and Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess on the import of cotton, classified under heading 5201 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The decision has been taken in public interest to support domestic industries and ensure adequate raw material availability. This exemption will apply to all imports of cotton into India during the specified period. The notification clearly states that the exemption shall come into effect from 19th August 2025 and remain valid till 30th September 2025. By temporarily removing these duties, the government aims to ease pressure on the textile sector, stabilize raw material costs, and promote smooth supply chain operations in the cotton and allied industries during this period.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has released the Draft Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 on 11 August 2025. These proposed changes amend the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 to update the fee schedule and procedural aspects for various GI-related activities. The revised First Schedule outlines new fees for applications, renewals, oppositions, authorised user registrations, rectifications, and GI agent registrations. Separate provisions have been introduced for domestic and convention country applications, with class-wise fee structures for single and multiple class filings. 
Charges have also been rationalised for administrative changes, such as corrections in name or address, and for services like searches, certified copies, and duplicate certificates. Additional updates include specified charges for interventions, extensions of time, review applications, and requests for additional protection to certain goods. The amendments aim to bring greater clarity, ensure transparent cost structures, and align GI processes with current trade and intellectual property practices. These changes are expected to make Geographical Indication registration and protection in India more streamlined, efficient, and supportive of traditional product recognition.

On 11 August 2025, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued notification imposing new port restrictions on select jute products imported from Bangladesh. As per the amendment to ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1 (Import Policy), imports of bleached and unbleached woven jute fabrics, twine, cordage, ropes, cables, and jute sacks from Bangladesh will no longer be allowed via land ports on the India-Bangladesh border. These items, under HS Codes 531090, 560890, 560790, and 630510, can now only enter India through the Nhava Sheva Seaport. The measure, effective immediately, follows earlier DGFT notifications issued in May and June 2025, and aims to regulate import channels while keeping other trade policy provisions unchanged. This step affects India-Bangladesh trade in the jute sector significantly.

The Central Government has informed the Legal Metrology (General) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2025, under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. These rules revise the Eighth Schedule of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, explicitly Part VI, Part C.

Key updates comprise a revised definition of a complete thermometer. It now denotes to a device that includes a unit for measuring and indicating temperature, either as an interchangeable system that is compatible with the response of the probe or as a permanently connected unit.

Moreover, clause (i) of paragraph 5(1) has been updated. The acceptable temperature range for specific devices has been altered from “36.9°C to 37.1°C” to a broader and more standardized “37°C = 1°C.” Additionally, a correction has been done in Note (2) by updating the reference from “5(2) (7)” to “5(2) (i)”.

The purpose of this amendment is to ensure better precision, accuracy and standardization measuring instruments under legal metrology, mainly thermometers. The changes will come into effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.