<h1>Government pushes mandatory harmonized technical standards and QCOs to boost sustainability, consumer protection, and export competitiveness</h1> A union minister announced a policy emphasis on mandatory and harmonized technical standards to advance sustainability, consumer protection, and export competitiveness, highlighting the use of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to enforce compliance in critical sectors and reduce substandard products. The address affirmed India's commitment to nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement and circular-economy principles, proposed standards as tools to facilitate free trade and market access, and identified the electrical and electronic sector as pivotal for energy-efficiency gains. The statements signal regulatory tightening, increased standardization efforts, and potential trade and compliance impacts for manufacturers and importers.