BIS QCO for Cross Recessed Screws – IS 18471, IS 18480 & More

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has issued the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 vide S.O. 3927(E) dated 27th August, 2025, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), Part II – Section 3 – Sub-section (ii).

This Order supersedes the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2024 and comes into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette i.e. 27th August, 2025.

This QCO makes it mandatory for all covered categories of Cross Recessed Screws 

including Tapping Screws, Drilling Screws, Wood Screws, Drywall Screws, and  Chipboard Screws — to conform to the relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)  Indian Standards and bear the ISI Mark (Standard Mark) under a valid BIS licence before being manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

The Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 applies to all 14 categories of Cross Recessed Screws specified in the Table, manufactured in India for domestic sale or imported into India for commercial use.

This Order does NOT apply to:

- Screws manufactured domestically exclusively for export

- Screws imported as part of any finished good, sub-assembly, or component

- Screws imported by domestic manufacturers for manufacturing products for export

- R&D imports up to 200 kg per year by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), subject to conditions specified in the Order

- Enterprises registered on Udyam Portal with plant & machinery investment not exceeding ₹25 Lakhs AND turnover not exceeding ₹2 Crore (CA certified)

COMPLETE LIST OF PRODUCTS COVERED

DRILLING SCREWS WITH TAPPING SCREW THREAD (IS 18471 Series)

1.  IS 18471 (Part 1):2023 / ISO 15481:1999

    Fasteners – Cross Recessed Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Thread

    Part 1: Pan Head

    (Revised as IS 18471:2025)

2.  IS 18471 (Part 2):2023 / ISO 15482:1999

    Fasteners – Cross Recessed Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Thread

    Part 2: Countersunk Head

    (Revised as IS 18471:2025)

3.  IS 18471 (Part 3):2023 / ISO 15483:1999

    Fasteners – Cross Recessed Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Thread

    Part 3: Raised Countersunk Head

    (Revised as IS 18471:2025)

4.  IS 18476:2023 / ISO 15480:2019

    Fasteners – Hexagon Washer Head Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Thread

    (Revised as IS 18471:2025)

CROSS RECESSED TAPPING SCREWS (IS 18480 Series)

5.  IS 18480 (Part 1):2023 / ISO 7049:2011

    Cross Recessed Tapping Screws – Part 1: Pan Head

6.  IS 18480 (Part 2):2023 / ISO 7050:2011

    Cross Recessed Tapping Screws – Part 2: Countersunk Flat Head

7.  IS 18480 (Part 3):2023 / ISO 7051:2011

    Cross Recessed Tapping Screws – Part 3: Raised Countersunk Oval Head

MACHINE SCREWS WITH CROSS RECESS (IS 7483, 7485, 7486 Series)

8.  IS 7483:2018 / ISO 7045:2011

    Pan Head Screws with Type H or Type Z Cross Recess – Product Grade A

9.  IS 7485 (Part 1):2018 / ISO 7046-1:2011

    Countersunk Flat Head Screws (Common Head Style) with Type H or Type Z 

    Cross Recess – Product Grade A

    Part 1: Steel Screws of Property Class 4.8

10. IS 7485 (Part 2):2018 / ISO 7046-2:2011

    Countersunk Flat Head Screws (Common Head Style) with Type H or Type Z 

    Cross Recess – Product Grade A

    Part 2: Steel Screws of Property Class 8.8, Stainless Steel Screws and 

    Non-Ferrous Metal Screws

11. IS 7486:2018 / ISO 7047:2011

    Raised Countersunk Head Screws (Common Head Style) with Type H or 

    Type Z Cross Recess – Product Grade A

SPECIALTY SCREWS

12. IS 18507:2024

    Drywall Screws – Specification

13. IS 18508:2024

    Chipboard Screws – Specification

14. IS 18509:2023

    Cross-Recessed Countersunk Head Wood Screws – Specification

Note: The latest version of each Indian Standard including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply.

All Cross Recessed Screws covered under this QCO must:

- Conform to the corresponding Indian Standard as specified in the Table

- Bear the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a valid BIS licence

- Obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018

- Be tested at BIS-recognised and NABL-accredited laboratories

EXEMPTIONS & RELAXATIONS

1. Export Exemption:

   Screws manufactured in India exclusively for export are fully exempt.

2. Finished Goods / Sub-Assembly Import Exemption:

   Screws imported as part of any finished good, sub-assembly, or component are exempt from this QCO — a significant relief for importers of assembled machinery, equipment, and products.

3. Export Manufacturing Import Exemption:

   Screws imported by domestic manufacturers specifically for manufacturing products intended for export are also exempt.

4. Udyam Portal Small Manufacturer Exemption:

   Enterprises registered on Udyam Portal with:

   • Investment in Plant & Machinery / Equipment at original cost not exceeding ₹25 Lakhs, AND

   • Annual Turnover not exceeding ₹2 Crore (CA certified) are fully exempt from implementation of this Order.

5. R&D Import Provision:

   Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of Cross Recessed Screws may import up to 200 kg of screws per year for R&D purposes, provided:

   • Such imported goods are NOT sold commercially

   • Goods are disposed of as scrap after R&D use

   • Financial year-wise records are maintained and furnished to Government  authorities on company letterhead signed by authorised signatory,  if so desired

IMPLEMENTATION DATES

- General Enterprises (excluding Micro & Small): 1st November, 2025

- Small Enterprises: 1st February, 2026

- Micro Enterprises: 1st May, 2026

ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Order shall be punishable under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the designated certifying and enforcing authority for all Cross Recessed Screws covered under this Quality Control Order.

BIS is responsible for:

- Granting ISI Mark licences to screw manufacturers and importers

- Conducting factory audits and market surveillance

- Testing samples at BIS-recognised and NABL-accredited laboratories

- Taking enforcement action against non-compliant screws in the market

For Licence Applications:

- Domestic Manufacturers: www.manakonline.in

- Foreign Manufacturers: BIS FMCD, Manakalaya, BIS HQ, New Delhi

- BIS Website: www.bis.gov.in

File No.: P-29026/42/2023-LEI

Current Order (2025) issued by: Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT

This Order supersedes: Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2024

IS 18471 (Part 1, 2, 3):2023 / ISO 15481, 15482, 15483:1999 (Revised as IS 18471:2025)

Cross Recessed Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Thread covering three head styles — Pan Head, Countersunk Head, and Raised Countersunk Head. 

These are self-drilling fasteners widely used in construction, HVAC, steel fabrication, and sheet metal applications.

IS 18476:2023 / ISO 15480:2019 (Revised as IS 18471:2025)

Hexagon Washer Head Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Thread. Used in roofing, cladding, and structural steel connections where a larger bearing surface is required.

IS 18480 (Part 1, 2, 3):2023 / ISO 7049, 7050, 7051:2011

Cross Recessed Tapping Screws in three head profiles — Pan Head, Countersunk Flat Head, and Raised Countersunk Oval Head. Widely used in automotive, electronics, appliances, and plastic/sheet metal assemblies.

IS 7483:2018 / ISO 7045:2011

Pan Head Screws with Type H (Phillips) or Type Z Cross Recess — Product Grade A. Used in precision mechanical assemblies and electronic equipment.

IS 7485 (Part 1 & 2):2018 / ISO 7046-1 & 7046-2:2011

Countersunk Flat Head Screws with Type H or Type Z Cross Recess — Product Grade A. Part 1 covers Class 4.8 steel screws; Part 2 covers Class 8.8 steel, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metal screws. Used in automotive, aerospace, and precision engineering applications.

IS 7486:2018 / ISO 7047:2011

Raised Countersunk Head Screws with Type H or Type Z Cross Recess — Product Grade A. Used where a partially raised profile is required for aesthetic or functional reasons in assemblies.

IS 18507:2024 – Drywall Screws

Specifies requirements for drywall screws used for fixing gypsum boards and plasterboards to metal or wood framing in construction and interior fit-out applications.

IS 18508:2024 – Chipboard Screws

Covers chipboard screws (also known as particle board screws) used for joining wood-based panels, furniture, and cabinetry. They feature a coarse thread for superior grip in chipboard and MDF.

IS 18509:2023 – Cross-Recessed Countersunk Head Wood Screws

Specifies requirements for countersunk head wood screws with cross recess, used in timber joinery, furniture manufacturing, and woodworking applications.

Certification Scheme: Scheme-I of Schedule-II, BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018

Note: For the purposes of this Order, the latest version of each Indian Standard including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Manak Bhavan, 9, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg New Delhi – 110002

Tel: +91-11-23230131

Website: www.bis.gov.in

Manakonline Portal: www.manakonline.in

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011

For BIS Branch Office contacts near your manufacturing location: https://bis.gov.in/index.php/regional-branch-offices-bis-list/

KEY DATES AT A GLANCE:

- Current Order Published: 27th August, 2025 (S.O. 3927(E))

- Effective from: 27th August, 2025 (date of publication)

- Implementation – General Enterprises: 1st November, 2025

- Implementation – Small Enterprises: 1st February, 2026

- Implementation – Micro Enterprises: 1st May, 2026

- This Order supersedes: Cross Recessed Screws (QCO) Order, 2024

The information provided on this page is intended for informational purposes only and is based on Gazette of India notifications available at the time of publishing. Implementation Dates, Product Scope, Exemption Criteria, and other regulatory details are subject to change through future Government amendments or BIS notifications at any time. 
Readers are requested to seek formal legal advice prior to acting upon any information provided herein.

For the latest updates on BIS QCO compliance, revised implementation timelines, or any new amendments — Contact Standphill India. Our experts actively track all BIS QCO notifications and amendments to keep your business compliant, updated, and ahead of every deadline.

Contact Standphill India — Your Trusted BIS Certification & QCO Compliance Partner.