Bureau of Indian Standards makes license mandatory for 24 footwear products

Tags: National Economy/Finance National News

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) license will be mandatory for 24 footwear products from July 1, 2023.

An overview of the news

• Small-scale footwear manufacturers will have to comply by January 1, 2024, while micro-footwear industries will be subject to mandatory quality standards from July 1, 2024.

• It aims to reduce sub-standard imports, especially from countries like China.

• According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), this Quality Control Order (QCO) will ensure production of high quality footwear domestically and curb substandard imports.

QCO for footwear and related products

• The QCO for 24 footwear and related products was initially notified in October 2020.

• The 24 footwear products covered by the quality standards include rubber gum boots, PVC sandals, rubber thongs, chappals, molded plastic footwear, footwear used for municipal cleaning work, sports footwear, derby shoes, riot-proof shoes and molded Includes solid rubber sole.

• At present, 27 out of 54 footwear products are covered by QCO, and the remaining 27 more footwear products will be covered within the next six months.

• BIS has revised five footwear specification standards, giving the industry an additional time of six months till January 1, 2024, to comply with the QCOs.

• To support the implementation and testing of footwear products, testing facilities have been set up at two BIS laboratories, two Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) laboratories, Central Leather Research Institute and eleven private laboratories.

• In addition, mandatory compliance of quality standards for "protective clothing for fire fighting" and "19 products related to geotextiles" will come into effect from October this year.

• At present, 470 products are covered under mandatory quality standards, and BIS has shared additional 600 products with ministries to bring them under QCO.

‘Manak Rath' Online Exchange Forum

• Additionally, BIS has launched an online exchange forum called 'Manak Rath' on its website, which provides a platform for users to connect and share their views.

• Student members of Standard Clubs can participate in various activities and competitions, with the opportunity to win exciting prizes.

About Bureau of Indian Standards

• Bureau of Indian Standards is the national standards body of India under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.

• Headquarter- Manak Bhawan, Old Delhi

• Director General- Pramod Kumar Tiwari

• Established- 23 December 1986