Conference on Indian Steel Quality Standards

Overview:

Quality  ~ simply better than the rest..

From jewellery to food products, cars to electronics, we all know that “Quality” is the key. Quality in the steel sector or even in any manufacturing industry is a measure of excellence or a state of being free from defects, deficiencies and significant variations. 

It is brought about by strict and consistent commitment to certain standards that achieve uniformity of a product in order to satisfy specific customer or user requirements.

Whether you are a small house owner, civil architect, manufacturer, construction company or involved the mining, oil and gas industry, it is vital to ensure you are purchasing and using steel products that are designed, manufactured and tested to comply with the correct standards for your intended use. Failure to do so can lead to safety issues, replacement costs, re-work, delays and hefty compensation claims.

Standard ~ a set of guidelines..

Several widely recognized organizations set standards that specify the material, chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical properties of metal materials. These standards are widely used by refineries, metallurgical laboratories, and manufacturers and provide a means of assuring a consistent grade of metal or alloy from a producer and a uniform methodology for quality and integrity testing.  A clear definition of material properties is essential to all users throughout the supply chain. 

Metal producers use standards to develop the correct formulations, process parameters, and determine dimensional and tolerance requirements for their production. Engineers use them to select the best-suited metal for a project, both in terms of its manufacturability and its end use. 

A few of the many characteristics defined in a metal standard include: 

· compressive and tensile strength, 

· ductility, 

· hardness,

· toughness, 

· fatigue strength, and 

· corrosion resistance 

Many industries, such as construction, railways, aerospace and automotive, specify that a particular standard grade metal be used in the construction of a component, and manufacturers rely on the ability to easily procure materials that are in compliance with those requirements. The clear-cut and comprehensive definition of a metal grade also removes the risk of errors in production due to lack of complete specifications.

Quality Compliance~ Ensuring quality by strict control..

The standards have no meaning until and unless they are adhered by the manufacturers for fulfilling the complete quality requirements as prescribed under the standards. The role of quality control comes in here. It involves verification of output conformance to desired quality levels. This means that the end solution is checked against customer requirements, with various checks being conducted at planned points in the development lifecycle. Technical teams will use, amongst other techniques, structured walkthroughs, testing and code inspections to ensure that the solution meets the agreed set of requirements. 

Confirming to the prescribed standards will allow businesses to ensure that metals and components supplied by different companies will be mutually compatible. Using standards also helps businesses demonstrate to regulators and customers that their products and services meet defined safety, quality, and environmental standards. Improved ability to meet legislative and regulatory requirements enables companies to develop competitive manufacturing capabilities and expand their market reach by ensuring conformity with various industry, military, aerospace, and automotive standards. Hence, without Quality Control, ensuring quality or standard adherence is unachievable. 

BIS has a very important role to play in forming the STANDARDS and granting certification to the companies manufacturing the end products. However the COMPLIANCE of these standards and a thorough implementation of the final output is a challenge being faced by multiple agencies including BIS, Customs Authorities and Ministry of Steel. 

In this context, Ministry of Steel has been issuing Quality Control Orders from time to time to ensure quality steel is produced and consumed in the country. The Quality Control Order prohibits manufacturing, import, sale, hire and lease of such products unless it conforms to relevant standards. The surveillance mechanism for ensuring the Quality Control Order lies under the BIS Act, 2016 with Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS). BIS continuously monitors to ensure that no sub-standard steel is manufactured, imported and sold in the country.

Quality, Standard and Compliance ~next… Issues…!!

Quality Control involves the participation of numerous stakeholders from standard formation to implementation. Undoubtedly, there is always a section of stakeholders with a different understanding of the concept of quality assurance and control. Similarly, there is always a section which feels that there is no need of such standards and another section which feels that the imported quality is much superior than the existing Indian ones. 

This conference will try to find answers to many such issues, concerns and differences in understanding related to concept of quality and mandatory implementation. Some of the key issues which would be highlighted today are – 

• Mandatory QCO: Understanding the need from the ISP and alternate route steel producers

• How is it benefiting the society? 

• Is there a need to assess critical and non-critical application of QCO

• Is QCO leading to shutting down of smaller units in India

• Imported steel not complying to the QCO – criteria, availability volume & superior standards

• Technical know-how of standard steel production

• Strict Implementation, Strengthening Borders & Regular Checks 

• Where to draw the line – Exemptions