Transition Facilitation Order 2026 Eases Manufacturing Quality Controls

Gist The government recently introduced the Transition Facilitation Quality Control Order, 2026 to ease regulatory bottlenecks by allowing manufacturers temporary flexibility in sourcing certified inputs. This policy reset follows a rapid expansion of Quality Control Orders QCOs that inadvertently disrupted supply chains, inflated input costs, and drew criticism at the World Trade Organization WTO as non-tariff barriers. For aspirants, this highlights the governance challenge of balancing the push for high manufacturing standards with the need to protect domestic value addition and MSME profitability. Background Quality Control Orders QCOs are regulatory measures issued by the government to mandate quality standards for specific products, primarily enforced through Bureau of Indian Standards BIS certification. While designed to ensure consumer safety and curb substandard imports, QCOs inherently act as non-tariff barriers that can restrict the free flow of goods and raw materials. Between 2019 and December 2024 , India rapidly expanded mandatory certification, increasing the number of QCO-covered products from 88 to 765 . This aggressive rollout heavily targeted intermediate goods, leading to input shortages and supply-chain disruptions. Recognizing this, the government shifted its…