India-BLEU Joint Economic Commission Session Held in Luxembourg (See 'Corp Brief') India to promote South-South Cooperation and share Agricultural Innovations (See 'Corp Brief') Of 137 commercial mines allocated since 2020, 25 are producing (See 'Corp Brief') MoS releases Foreign Language Compendium of DRDO Products for engagement with international partners (See 'Corp Brief') Govt releases Clarification on strategic restructuring of IDBI Bank Ltd. (See 'Corp Brief') NSIC presents dividend for FY 2025-26 (See 'Corp Brief') Companies Act, 2013 - Pendency of challenge to a judgment before a Division Bench does not extinguish its binding force, where judgment is neither set aside nor stayed: HC (See 'Legal Desk') DoT leads Thematic Session on 'Intelligent Networks and Quantum Communication' at ESTIC 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') GeM reduces Transaction Charges to 0.30%, Raises Exemption Threshold to Rs 10 Lakh (See 'Corp Brief') MoS highlights India's rise as a global co-creator in science and technology (See 'Corp Brief') MoS leads Indian delegation to Singapore International Energy Week 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') MoS felicitates Winners of Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 (See 'Corp Brief') Trade Marks Act, 1999 - Court's intervention is needed where the parties furnish affidavits making undertakings that effectively resolve the issues at hand: HC (See 'Legal Desk') DRI seizes around 55,000 e-cigarettes worth more than Rs. 13.5 crore (See 'Corp Brief') Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - CIRP merits being ordered in respect of an applicant when there is no reason to deny admission once the statutory requirements for initiation of CIRP by the Corporate Applicant, are satisfied: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') Scientists engage with farmers in Delhi's rural areas under 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (See 'Corp Brief') Yadav calls for translating Global Biodiversity Commitments into Effective Implementation (See 'Corp Brief') Competition Act, 2002 - Allegations of anti-competitive agreements or of abuse of dominant position are tenable where no cogent evidence is furnished to bolster the allegations raised: CCI (See 'Legal Desk') Energy Technology Meet inaugurated in Goa, Highlights India's Energy Security Priorities (See 'Corp Brief') Discussions must lead to practical actions that cities can adopt: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') CARA organises Regional Consultative Workshop to expand Adoption of Children with Special Needs (See 'Corp Brief') ICAR-MGIFRI promotes Soil Health, Balanced Fertilisation and Sustainable Orchard Management (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - If well-known pharmaceutical mark with established goodwill & continuous use is sought to be diluted by subsequent user adopting coined expression sharing dominant prefix, case calls for interim injunction: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Bhupender Yadav emphasizes importance of Science-based Biodiversity Governance (See 'Corp Brief') PM Vishwakarma Artisans showcase Traditional Crafts at BRICS Cultural Bazar (See 'Corp Brief') Industrial Settlements benefit Over 10,900 Bihar Gramin Bank Employees (See 'Corp Brief') Startup Credit Guarantees reach Rs 1,662 Crore (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Converting passing off action into infringement claim post-registration does not change basic structure of suit: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Nadda leads Integrity Pledge Ceremony at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (See 'Corp Brief') RM calls for 'Aatmanirbharta 2.0', next leap in defence self-reliance, at SWAVLAMBAN 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Admission u/s 7 IBC requires summary finding of debt & default above statutory threshold, and not exact reconciliation or forensic reconciliation of accounts: SC (See 'Legal Desk') MoRTH to organise 'Transport Mela' under PARIVARTAN Scheme in Delhi-NCR (See 'Corp Brief') NCB launches 'Operation Trident', with 38 teams striking 38 locations (See 'Corp Brief') NIFTEM-K hosts India's First AI × Food Tech Hackathon, 'Hack the Fork' (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - Administrator could neither assume RBI's write-down power at point of non-viability nor exercise it after reconstruction scheme took effect: SC (See 'Legal Desk') GeM promotes 'The AABHAR Collection' to showcase India's Cultural Heritage (See 'Corp Brief') National Conclave 2026: Technical sessions outline reforms for future-ready cities (See 'Corp Brief') PM's appeal has given a new identity to Khadi: KVIC Chairman (See 'Corp Brief') SARFAESI - Secured creditor stepping into shoes of borrower/lessee cannot claim rights superior to those of original lessee: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Three-day event 'India Chem-2026' concludes in Mumbai (See 'Corp Brief') Agricultural Biological Resources generate ABS Benefits for Biodiversity (See 'Corp Brief') BHASHINI Division showcases Multilingual AI Solutions for Accessible Research at IIT Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') Capital Market - Sec 12A of Commercial Courts Act is mandatory and strict condition precedent for maintaining commercial suit where no urgent interim relief is contemplated: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Fisheries Investors & Exporters Conclave 2026 to boost Investment and Exports from Inland Fisheries (See 'Corp Brief') India's First Maritime NBFC SMFCL scales up with Rs 5,107 Crs disbursed (See 'Corp Brief') India advances Agrivoltaics Cooperation for Global South (See 'Corp Brief') RTI - Information regarding public orders & ongoing court proceedings is already accessible in public domain - falls outside disclosure obligations of public authority under statute: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk') An unsuccessful 'success fee' litigation (See CORP EINSICHT)

Copper Quality Control Order: A step towards Atma Nirbharta

Published: Dec 07, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, DEC 07, 2024: TO strengthen the quality control eco-system for non-ferrous metals sector (including Copper) in the country, the Ministry of Mines notified the Copper (Quality Control) Order on 31 st August, 2023, along with Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys and Nickel. Initially the QCOs including Copper QCO were to come into force after three months from the date of its notification i.e. 30.11.2023.

Thereafter, basis the requests received from industry stakeholders including user sector industry and taking into account the supply situation, this order was extended vide notification dated 3 rd November, 2023 by six months (i.e.1.6.2024) and subsequently, by another six months vide notification dated 3 rd May, 2024 i.e. 1.12.2024. The Ministry has held several interactions with concerned stakeholders on regular basis through series of meeting(s) with industry bodies and user sector industries during the month of October, 2023; January, 2024; May, 2024; September, 2024; and October, 2024. Secretary (Mines) held a meeting with DG BIS on 17.1.2024 in which besides BIS & Ministry officials, industry representatives also attended. Thus, a sufficient period of 15 months, from 31 st August, 2023, onwards was allowed to the domestic and foreign suppliers of Copper cathodes to obtain the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification.

In FY 2023-24, India imported about 363 Thousand Tonnes (THT) of refined copper cathode (HS Code: 740311), valued at Rs. 24,552 crore. Japan accounts for about 2/3 rd (67%) of the refined copper imports. In quantity terms, about 69% of India's refined copper imports come from Japan. Tanzania is India's second important source of refined copper, contributing about 18% of the imports; followed by Mozambique with a share of about 5%.

M/s Adani's Kutch Copper Refinery has since come into production. However, as per company officials, ramp-up to full capacity will require some more time (about Feb-March 2025). Once achieved, India will be self-sufficient in refined copper, and will not have to rely on imports. Till that time, some amount of import of refined copper will take place.

As of now, 7 applications from Japanese smelters have been received for BIS certification, of which one smelter (Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.) has already been granted license. As per information received from BIS, two more licenses will be granted by next week.

Presently, four domestic suppliers namely, Adani's Kutch Copper Ltd, Hindalco Industries Ltd, Gujarat Victory Forgings Pvt Ltd & Vedanta Ltd and four foreign suppliers, one each from Japan and Austria, and two from Malaysia have been certified by BIS to supply copper cathode to Indian market. Thus, with 4 domestic BIS certified suppliers & 4 foreign BIS certified suppliers and another two certifications by mid of Dec, 2024, no serious supply side constraint is envisaged.

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