MNRE Relaxes Norms For Quality Control Order

• MNRE has introduced modifications in quality control order for PV products it approved in September 2017
• Under the revised norms, self-certification date of 6 products has been extended till September 4, 2018; previously the deadline was June 30, 2018
• Manufacturers with production capacities below 50 MW have time till September 4, 2020 to get BIS certification for their products
• Only two products of the same make can be replaced per project and per annum in projects set up earlier without the mandatory BIS certification; beyond this number, manufacturers will be required to get products tested in labs

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued some modifications in its 'Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order 2017.' Heeding requests of the industry, it has now extended the date for self-certification of six products to September 4, 2018. Previously, the deadline was June 30, 2018.

The solar manufacturers had sought more time from the government for compliance of the order. MNRE has relaxed the norms to facilitate smooth implementation.

Similarly, it has also exempted module manufacturers whose annual module production capacity is less than 50 MW from getting Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for 2 years, i.e., September 4, 2020. However, it is mandatory for them to have a valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC). The IEC is a 10-digit number granted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries' Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It should have been obtained before April 16, 2018.

"Further, for products needed for replacement of the same make in projects set up earlier, as part of commitment/warranty and, in case, such products are not being supplied by the manufacturers for new projects in the country, there will be an exemption from BIS certification, provided there is a valid, IEC certification for the product, and, subject to the condition that only up to two numbers of such product would be allowed to be replaced per project per annum," reads the order.

For more replacements, manufacturers will have to get the products tested in labs as per Indian Standard rules. If manufacturrers wish to seek exemption, they need to approach the ministry to procure the same.

The order, in both Hindi and English, is available on the website of MNRE.

MNRE had passed the order in September 2017 making it mandatory for all manufacturers of PV modules to obtain registration from BIS (see India Approves Quality Control Policy For PV). Recently, MNRE issued lab testing guidelines for crystalline and thin film solar PV modules, including bifacial under the same policy (see India Issues Guidelines For Module Testing).