Ministry of Steel to Hold Open House on SIMS, QCOs & NOCs for Steel Imports

In a proactive move to engage directly with stakeholders and resolve industry-specific concerns, the Ministry of Steel has announced an Open House meeting to be held on 29th and 30th July 2025 at the Steel Room, Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi. This initiative is aimed at facilitating open dialogue around key regulatory mechanisms governing steel imports in India, namely the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

The Open House will provide a platform for companies, industry associations, and other stakeholders to raise and discuss issues directly with Ministry officials, offering a vital opportunity to streamline procedures and enhance understanding of policy frameworks related to steel imports.

Key Objectives of the Open House

The primary goal of the two-day session is to offer a structured forum for participants to:

• Clarify procedural and policy-related doubts regarding SIMS registration.

• Discuss challenges related to QCO compliance, timelines, and implementation.

• Address concerns with obtaining NOCs for import of various steel grades or products.

• Provide feedback to the Ministry on procedural delays or sector-specific hurdles.

• Explore possible improvements in coordination between regulators and importers.

Registration Process and Participation Guidelines

To participate in the Open House, stakeholders must submit a formal request via email to: tech-steel[at]nic[dot]in

Walk-in participation will not be allowed due to logistic and space limitations. Companies and associations must seek prior confirmation for time slots, and the Ministry will allocate specific timings between 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM over the two days.

Email Request Format

Participants are expected to include the following details in their email request:

1. Name of Company or Association

2. Nature of Issue – SIMS, QCO, NOC, or others

3. Number of Participants Proposed

4. Preferred Date – 29th or 30th July 2025

5. Reference of Relevant SIMS or NOC Application, if any

6. Industry Segment – e.g., Auto, Telecom, Aerospace, Defence, etc.

7. Brief Description of the Issue (max 50 words)

8. Contact Details of the Nodal Person – mobile number and email ID

Participation Criteria and Slot Allocation

• Each industry association may request one consolidated time slot to raise concerns on behalf of its member companies.

• A maximum of 15 participants per association will be allowed due to seating capacity.

• Slot confirmations will be communicated via return email after review of the request.

• Companies and associations are advised to prepare a succinct presentation or discussion points for effective use of their allotted time.

Background: Why This Open House Matters

With the growing complexity of trade regulations and the surge in quality-related compliance for imports, the Ministry of Steel has been ramping up stakeholder engagement to improve clarity and procedural transparency. The SIMS portal, introduced to monitor steel imports, has been instrumental in data-driven policymaking, but many stakeholders have reported challenges related to the system’s interface and timelines.

Similarly, QCOs under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandate strict compliance with safety and quality benchmarks. However, importers have frequently flagged issues related to lack of clarity on specifications, overlapping product codes, and delays in BIS registration, which hamper planning and supply chain efficiency.

NOCs, often required for exemptions or special imports, also face procedural bottlenecks. This Open House is designed to tackle these friction points by enabling direct communication between policymakers and the industry.

Strengthening India’s Steel Ecosystem

This Open House is not only a problem-solving platform but also reflects the government's broader efforts to build a robust, transparent, and competitive steel import ecosystem. Ensuring effective import regulations while not hampering legitimate trade is crucial to sectors like automobiles, defence, infrastructure, construction, telecom, and aerospace, all of which rely heavily on specific grades of imported steel.

The Ministry is expected to use the insights gathered from this Open House to shape future updates to the SIMS, QCO, and NOC frameworks.

Final Advisory

All companies and associations dealing with import-related regulatory issues are strongly encouraged to submit their participation requests before the event to secure confirmed slots. This unique engagement format offers a rare and valuable opportunity for real-time resolution and collaborative policy enhancement.