Mumbai, June 30 -- The stainless steel micro, small and medium enterprises sector has warned of a surge in imports of poor quality material and has urged the government to reintroduce the quality control order that governed standards for plates, sheets and coils. The industry association described the recent influx as placing significant pressure on domestic manufacturers, squeezing margins and undermining investments in compliance and testing infrastructure. Producers argued that cheaper, non-compliant consignments were displacing locally made product in key urban and industrial markets.
Small units in traditional manufacturing clusters reported lower capacity utilisation and a reduction in order books, which the association said translated into layoffs and delayed wage payments in some units. The group emphasised that the sector operates on thin margins and that any prolonged distortion of the market could erode the supply chain that supports downstream fabricators and original equipment manufacturers. It highlighted the need for swift regulatory correction to restore a level playing field.
To address the challenge, the association proposed reintroduction of mandatory standards backed by random testing at ports and domestic checkpoints, improved laboratory accreditation and clearer labelling requirements to help buyers distinguish compliant material. It also sought stronger enforcement against misdeclared consignments and expedited anti-dumping and safeguard investigations where warranted. The body underlined that coordination between customs, standards agencies and industry would be essential to detect and deter the flow of substandard imports.
Industry representatives recommended a time bound roadmap for implementation and a consultative forum that would include small producers, large manufacturers and consumer groups to refine technical requirements without disrupting supplies. They indicated that policy measures should be calibrated to protect employment and domestic capacity while ensuring market competitiveness. The association said that timely action could prevent further displacement of local production and help stabilise prices for downstream users.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.