Centre defends copper cathode quality restrictions, citing no monopoly and certified foreign suppliers to protect consumer interests.
Jun 27, 2025
The Indian government has urged the court to dismiss petitions by the Bombay Metal Exchange and Bombay Non-Ferrous Metals Association challenging its Quality Control Order (QCO) on copper cathode imports. In a detailed 160-page response, the Ministry of Mines argued that the measures are regulatory, not protectionist, and ensure product reliability without favouring domestic suppliers.
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The filing highlighted that ten international suppliers, including seven from Japan, two from Malaysia, and one from Austria, have already been certified under the QCO. It refuted claims of market distortion or supply shortages.
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India, the world’s second-largest refined copper importer, copper demand is expected to double by 2030. While domestic supply comes from Hindalco, Vedanta, Adani, and state-owned Hindustan Copper, the QCO aims to ensure quality control amid surging imports since 2018 post-Sterlite closure.
