New Delhi, Nov. 20 -- The Ministry of Steel has issued a set of procedural clarifications aimed at simplifying steel import requirements and improving ease of doing business, following a review of the existing regulatory framework.

The Ministry has withdrawn the requirement-introduced through a circular dated October 20, 2023-for importers to seek a clarification or No Objection Certificate (NOC) for steel grades not covered under any Quality Control Order (QCO).

Acting on recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms (HLC-NFRR), the Ministry announced that such grades will no longer need prior approval.

To operationalise this change, all non-QCO steel grades across relevant HSN codes have been mapped ...