The Indian government has granted exemptions to certain categories of steel imports from mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to ensure an uninterrupted supply of key materials to downstream industries. The exemption applies to steel products such as tubes used in structural applications, stainless steel utensils, and square tins for packaging edible oils and other essential commodities.

The decision aims to balance regulatory oversight with industrial flexibility amid global supply chain pressures. By easing restrictions on specialised steel grades that are not widely manufactured in India, the government seeks to prevent production disruptions in dependent industries.