New Delhi, May 28, 2025: India SME Forum successfully concluded the Bharat Quality Mission Conference today with a unified call for systemic reform in the implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs). The event was organized in partnership with Amazon to educate sellers on growth and compliance. The discussion spotlighted urgent measures required including phased QCO implementation to prevent disruption, sector-specific compliance standards, expanded testing infrastructure, and financial support mechanisms to ease the burden on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India.
Themed “Enabling MSMEs for Global Competitiveness”, the event was organized in the wake of growing concerns as narrated by small sellers who have faced escalating challenges due to abrupt implementation of mandatory QCOs since last year like blocked capital and unutilized imported goods. It marked a turning point in industry-regulator dialogue, emphasizing that compliance should be a catalyst—not a constraint—for MSME growth. The conference concluded with the formal submission of a policy recommendations dossier to the Ministries of Consumer Affairs and MSME, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Delivering the keynote address as chief guest, Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, said, “When India rejected substandard goods, manufacturing units began shifting to India – bringing investment, technology, jobs, and confidence. This momentum is key to India becoming the third-largest economy, which requires strong manufacturing and globally competitive MSMEs. QCOs boost quality and exports, and adherence to standards is essential. To support this, we are strengthening testing infrastructure across the country with INR 78 crore being invested through BIS. Our aim is to empower MSMEs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to move forward.”