In a major move to support the Indian industry, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has officially rescinded the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024.
This development comes as a significant relief to thousands of domestic manufacturers and importers who were preparing for stringent Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliance.
The Official Notification
According to the Gazette Notification S.O. 239(E) published on January 16, 2026, the Central Government has exercised its powers under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 to withdraw the regulation “in the public interest”.
- Order Date: January 14, 2026.
- Effect: Immediate Effect.
- Previous Order Rescinded: S.O. 3649(E) dated August 28, 2024.
Background: What was the OTR?
The Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 was a sweeping regulation aimed at mandating BIS certification (under Scheme-X) for a wide range of capital goods, including:
- Rotating Electrical Machines
- Compressors & Pumps
- Metal Working Machines
- Textile Machinery
Originally notified in August 2024, the implementation was initially set for August 2025 and later extended to September 2026.
Impact of the Rescission
With the issuance of S.O. 239(E), the entire regulatory framework of the Omnibus Order stands cancelled.
- No Mandatory BIS License: Manufacturers are not presently bound to obtain BIS licenses for machinery covered under this specific order.
- Business as Usual: Importers and manufacturers can continue their operations without the immediate burden of OTR compliance testing and certification costs.
- Future Regulations: While this specific order is rescinded, industries should remain alert for any future sector-specific Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that may replace this “Omnibus” approach.
Download Official Notification
You can access the official Gazette copy confirming this rescission below.
