Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India through a gazette notification dated

 24th August, 2023 - has promulgated an order known as Cast Iron Products (Quality Control), Order 2023. Under this, Cast Iron Products would have to conform to the corresponding Indian Standard as specified and shall have to bear the standard mark under a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which shall be the certifying and enforcing authority for the specified goods. There is also mention of penalty for contraventions in the said order.

The following provides a broad view of the Notification :

Goods or articles Indian Standard Title of Indian Standard

(1) (2) (3)

Cast Iron Products 1726:1991 Cast iron man hole covers and frames 

1729:2002 Cast iron/ductile iron drainage pipes and pipe fittings for over ground non-pressure pipeline socket and spigot series 

1879:2010 Malleable cast iron pipe fittings 

13349:1992 Cast iron single faced thimble mounted sluice gates 

210:2009 Grey iron castings 

1537:1976 Vertically cast –iron pressure pipes for water, gas and sewage 

Although this order would come into effect six months from the date of notification, as one can understand from the content and intent of the order, the provisions are likely to have significant and far-reaching impact on the operations and quality adherence of the Foundry Industry. 

In order to familiarise the foundry fraternity with the above Quality Control Notifications and facilitate the foundry members to register and obtain necessary certification, Indian Foundry Association (IFA) and Foundry Cluster Development Association (FCDA) have organised a joint seminar in collaboration with The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) to be held at HHI on 1st March, 2024 beginning at 6 PM.

We are thankful to Shri Dinesh Gupta and Shri Pradeep Mittal from IIF who have taken the initiative to join hands with IFA and FCDA. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) would be deputing their designated officials from Kolkata Office, namely – Shri Mainak Gantait, Scientist & Deputy Director and Shri Debraj Banerjee, Engineer; to guide and educate the members; so that the members can carry out the exercise themselves and complete the formalities.