Omnibus Technical Regulations (OTR): Everything You Need to Know

By Vikrant Rana and Shantam Sharma

Introduction

In recent years, India has steadily tightened its regulatory framework around product safety and quality. At the center of this framework is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body responsible for formulating, certifying, and monitoring compliance with Indian Standards. The government has increasingly relied on BIS to ensure that products used, manufactured, or imported in the country meet rigorous safety and performance criteria.

One of the most significant regulatory instruments introduced in the field of industrial machinery and electrical equipment is the Omnibus Technical Regulations (OTR). This set of regulations brings together multiple categories of machinery under one comprehensive order, requiring manufacturers to adhere to Indian Standards and obtain BIS certification before placing such products on the market.

This article explores how BIS functions, how Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are issued, what the OTR seeks to achieve, and how businesses should prepare for compliance.

Understanding BIS and the Role of QCOs

The Bureau of Indian Standards was established under the BIS Act, 2016. Its responsibilities include formulating Indian Standards, conducting conformity assessment, and operating certification schemes for a wide range of products. The ultimate objective is to safeguard public interest, improve quality, and promote reliability in the Indian market.

One of the mechanisms through which BIS discharges its mandate is through Quality Control Orders (QCOs). These are legal notifications issued by various line ministries of the Government of India in consultation with BIS. A QCO makes compliance with specific Indian Standards mandatory for a particular category of products.

For example, while BIS develops voluntary standards across sectors, it is the line ministries such as the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, or the Ministry of Electronics and IT that identify critical product categories where public safety, consumer protection, or environmental factors require binding compliance. Once a QCO is issued and notified in the Gazette of India, manufacturers, importers, and sellers are obligated to ensure that their products bear the BIS Standard Mark or hold a Certificate of Conformity.

Failure to comply with QCOs attracts penalties under the BIS Act. In effect, QCOs convert voluntary standards into enforceable technical regulations.

The Omnibus Technical Regulations (OTR)

The Ministry of Heavy Industries issued the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulations) Order, 2024, more widely known as the OTR. As its name suggests, this order consolidates the regulatory framework for a wide variety of machines and electrical equipment under one comprehensive umbrella.

Scope and Coverage

The OTR applies to machines and equipment listed in its First Schedule. These include items such as pumps, compressors, presses, cranes, metal cutting machines, and other industrial equipment. Importantly, the OTR also applies to assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components, although their enforcement dates will be separately notified by the government.

Standards Framework

The OTR introduces a structured approach to compliance. It makes reference to three categories of Indian Standards:

1. Type A Standards: These are broad principles that apply across machinery, covering general aspects such as risk assessment and risk reduction. An example is IS 16819:2018 (ISO 12100:2010), which lays down general safety principles for design.
2. Type B Standards: These deal with safety requirements that are common across many machines, such as electrical safety or control systems.
3. Type C Standards: These are product-specific standards tailored for particular machines. For instance, IS 17253 (Part 1) for milling machines or IS 17277 for presses. In case of conflict between Type A, B, and C, the Type C standards take precedence.

This tiered framework ensures that both general safety considerations and machine-specific requirements are accounted for.

Mandatory Certification

Every machine or electrical equipment covered under the OTR must conform to the applicable standards and obtain BIS certification. This certification can take the form of either:

• A BIS Licence: allowing the manufacturer to affix the BIS Standard Mark, or
• A Certificate of Conformity (CoC): applicable for machines not produced on a continuous basis, such as one-off or batch-produced equipment.

Application Guidelines under the OTR

The process of obtaining BIS certification under the OTR is governed by Scheme-X of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018. The guidelines published by BIS lay out a step-by-step process.

Step 1: Identifying Applicability

The manufacturer must first determine whether the machine falls under the First Schedule of the OTR. If yes, then it must identify the applicable standards (Type A, B, and C).

Step 2: Preparation of Technical File

A technical file has to be created for each machine type and model. This file includes compliance reports to the relevant standards, risk assessments, safety measures taken, and evidence of conformity. If multiple models exist in a series, manufacturers may submit a lead model supported by details of the entire family of models.

Step 3: Submission of Application

An application form under Scheme-X must be submitted to BIS, along with the technical file and supporting documents.

Step 4: Testing and Verification

BIS evaluates the technical file and may require testing of representative models. In some cases, factory visits are undertaken to verify production processes, safety measures, and labeling requirements.

Step 5: Grant of Licence or CoC

If BIS is satisfied, it grants a licence (allowing use of the Standard Mark) or a Certificate of Conformity for batch or non-continuous production.

Documents Required for OTR Applications

Different categories of machines may have specific requirements, but the following documents are generally necessary:

This documentation not only enables BIS to evaluate the safety and conformity of machines but also ensures that manufacturers adopt a systematic approach to risk management and safety compliance.

Industry Impact and Way Forward

The OTR is significant because it brings uniformity and predictability to a sector that previously operated under fragmented safety norms. For manufacturers, the OTR will mean higher initial compliance costs, including redesigning machines, carrying out additional testing, and investing in certification processes. However, in the long run, it will align Indian manufacturing with global practices, enhance consumer safety, and increase the competitiveness of Indian products in export markets.

For users of industrial machinery, whether in construction, automotive, or heavy industry, the OTR promises greater assurance of safety and reliability. Over time, this may also reduce accidents, downtime, and liability risks.

Conclusion

The Omnibus Technical Regulations represent a major step in strengthening India’s industrial safety regime. By consolidating diverse machinery categories under a single regulatory framework, the OTR seeks to ensure that all machines placed in the Indian market are designed and manufactured with safety as a priority.

With the implementation date now extended to September 2026, businesses have an opportunity to prepare comprehensively. Those who act early by mapping their product lines, preparing technical files, and engaging with BIS will find the transition smoother. Ultimately, the OTR is not just about regulatory compliance, it is about building a culture of safety and quality that will serve the interests of both industry and consumers in the years to come.