The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has taken a decisive step towards ensuring the quality of materials used in the power sector by issuing an advisory for power sector companies. This advisory mandates strict adherence to quality control orders (QCOs) and established standards for key materials such as aluminium ingots, wire rods, and wires, which are essential in manufacturing conductors and cables.
In collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the mines ministry, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the CEA’s guidelines aim to elevate product quality within the power sector, thereby fostering Indian manufacturing and endorsing ‘Made in India’ products towards achieving self-reliance.
Under these new directives, conductor and cable manufacturers are required to integrate compulsory processes and quality checks into their production protocols. This extends to all tenders issued by transmission and distribution companies across the nation, ensuring a uniform standard of quality.
To facilitate compliance, suppliers of these crucial raw materials are now obliged to present quality test certificates prior to bidding on supply contracts for conductors and cables. Additionally, the CEA mandates on-site sampling and inspection of these products at the delivery location stipulated in the contract, supplementing the existing inspections and testing carried out at the manufacturer’s or supplier’s premises.
Prospective bidders must also submit a declaration, verified by a statutory or cost auditor, identifying the source of the aluminium wires, rods, and ingots used in production. This certification becomes a prerequisite for participation in tenders, emphasizing the CEA’s commitment to transparency and quality in the procurement process.
Moreover, the advisory encourages transmission and distribution licensees to form standing committees dedicated to addressing grievances concerning non-compliance or violations of these standards and QCOs. These entities are also tasked with submitting quarterly compliance reports to the CEA, reinforcing the importance of strict adherence to the guidelines and promoting high-quality standards within the industry. 
