Description

Ministry of Mines amends QCO implementation date for Lead, Zinc, and Nickel from original date to April 17, 2026.

Summary

NSE Clearing Limited has issued a circular regarding amendments to Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for Lead, Zinc, and Nickel. The Ministry of Mines published amendments on September 25, 2025, extending the effective date of the QCOs to April 17, 2026. This follows the original QCO notification dated April 17, 2025.

Key Points

  • Ministry of Mines issued Quality Control Orders for Lead, Zinc, and Nickel on April 17, 2025
  • Amendments published on September 25, 2025 extend the implementation date
  • The QCOs will now come into effect from April 17, 2026
  • Applies to Commodity Derivatives Segment
  • Full notification available on https://egazette.gov.in/

Regulatory Changes

Primary Lead (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025:

  • Order S.O. 4367(E) amends the effective date to April 17, 2026
  • Issued under Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016

Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025:

  • Order S.O. 4368(E) amends the effective date to April 17, 2026
  • Issued under Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016

Nickel Quality Control Amendment Order, 2025:

  • Order S.O. 4370(E) referenced (partial content in circular)
  • Similar amendment to effective date

Compliance Requirements

  • Members of NSE Commodity Derivatives Segment are required to take note of the amended QCO implementation timeline
  • Entities dealing with Primary Lead, Refined Zinc, and Nickel must comply with quality control standards by the new effective date
  • Standards set by Bureau of Indian Standards apply

Important Dates

  • April 17, 2025: Original QCO notification date
  • September 8, 2025: Previous circular NCL/COM/70092 issued by NSE Clearing
  • September 25, 2025: Amendment orders published
  • October 8, 2025: Current circular issued
  • April 17, 2026: New effective date for QCOs

Impact Assessment

Market Impact: Medium - The extension provides additional time for market participants to prepare for compliance with quality control standards for Lead, Zinc, and Nickel in the commodity derivatives segment.

Operational Impact: Medium - Commodity market participants have an extended timeline (approximately 6 months from amendment date) to align their operations with the new quality control requirements.

Reference: This circular refers to previous circular NCL/COM/70092 dated September 08, 2025.

Impact Justification

Regulatory compliance update for commodity derivatives segment with extended implementation timeline to April 2026