The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a quality control order for footwear, bulletproof jackets, and protective clothing for firefighters. The order is in line with international standards and aims to improve the quality of domestic products, while reducing sub-standard imports from countries like China. India is the second-largest producer and consumer of these products, but only contributed 1.8% to global exports in 2018, while China contributed 65%.
The mandatory quality standards for 24 footwear and related products will come into effect from January 1, 2024, for small-scale footwear makers and from July 1, 2024, for micro-footwear makers. Large and medium-scale footwear manufacturers and all importers will also have to follow these standards. The standards prescribe the kind of raw material and norms for making footwear, including soles and heels. The 24 footwear products include rubber gum boots, PVC sandals, rubber hawai chappals, slippers, and sports footwear, among others.
India has developed 17 footwear testing labs and will be releasing QCOs for the remaining footwear products in the coming months. Additionally, mandatory compliance with quality standards for protective clothing for firefighting and 19 geo-textiles-related products will come into force from October 10, 2021. The quality control standards aim to ensure a minimum benchmark for a product’s quality and prevent the import of sub-quality products. These measures will benefit consumers and promote the Indian manufacturing industry.
