Govt extends BIS certification deadline on aluminium cans; relief for beer, soft drinks

Government Eases Pressure on Beverage Sector with Deadline Extension

The Indian government has announced an extension to the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification deadline for aluminium cans used in the food processing and beverages industry.

This decision comes under the Cookware, Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2026, which aims to enforce stricter quality norms. Originally set to kick in from August 2025, the rollout faced pushback due to looming supply chain issues. Now, large manufacturers must comply starting October 2026, small units from January 2027, and micro enterprises by April 2027.

This phased approach gives companies breathing room to adapt without halting production lines. Beverage giants, from beer brewers to soft drink producers, had raised alarms over potential shortages, especially as imports struggle to keep pace with surging demand. The move is timely, coinciding with the industry's preparations for the high-demand summer season when canned drinks fly off shelves.

Why the Rush for Aluminium Cans Created a Perfect Storm

Aluminium cans have become a staple in India's beverage market, favored for their convenience, recyclability, and appeal to younger consumers like millennials who shun heavier glass bottles.

Demand has been growing in double digits, but domestic production from key players like BALL Beverage Packaging India and Can-Pack India is maxed out, unable to scale up quickly. India still leans heavily on imports, but the impending BIS rules threatened to snarl this lifeline. Certification involves rigorous checks on everything from material composition and seam strength to pressure resistance and chemical stability, processes that can drag on for months, especially for overseas plants.

Reports highlighted doubled imports from places like Sri Lanka and the Middle East just to tide over the gap. Without the extension, beer makers like those under United Breweries and soft drink heavyweights risked empty shelves by late winter, when stocking ramps up for March heatwaves. The Quality Control Order was introduced last April to boost safety, freshness, and recycling, but the rushed timeline overlooked these real-world bottlenecks.

Industry Cheers the Decision as a Crisis Averter

The beverage sector has warmly welcomed the government's intervention.

The extension of the timeline for BIS certification on imported cans is a very timely decision by the DPIIT to prevent a big potential crisis for the beer and other beverages industries. It will help alcobev companies prepare better for the upcoming summer season when the demand for beer and even soft drinks shoots up, said Vinod Giri, Director General of the Brewers Association of India (BAI).

BAI, representing major players like United Breweries, AB InBev, and Carlsberg, emphasized how this buys critical time to certify facilities and expand local capacity. Executives noted that cans need to be in stock by February's end to meet peak needs, avoiding sales dips that could hurt an economically vital industry. Long-term, the market looks bright, with projections showing the aluminium beverage can segment doubling in value by 2032 amid rising consumption trends.

This extension not only bridges immediate gaps but also aligns quality upgrades with practical growth, ensuring steady supply for consumers craving their favorite chilled brews.

In summary, the government's extension of BIS certification deadlines for aluminium cans offers vital relief to the beverage industry, averting shortages through a phased rollout from October 2026. It balances quality enforcement with supply stability, supporting growth in a high-demand sector.