The rapid rise in Quality Control Orders (QCOs) over the past five years, the majority of which have impacted raw material intermediate products, instead of finished goods, has not only harmed the competitiveness of the Indian industry but has also disproportionately affected small industries, leading to market concentration, according to an internal NITI Aayog report that is yet to be made public.

The report by the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Reforms, which has not yet been made public, states that the rapid expansion of quality standards from 70 to 790 in nine years has resulted in “supply chain disruptions, increased input costs and production delays for the downstream industry.”

Recommending the revocation of QCOs on synthetic fibres, plastics and polymers, base metals, and

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