Mandatory footwear quality standards to come into force from July 1

TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi/ The government said on Monday that large and medium-scale footwear manufacturers and all importers will have to follow mandatory quality control orders (QCO) for 24 footwear and related products from July 1 onwards. The move is aimed at preventing low-quality imported footwear from China, Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Pramod Tiwari, told mediapersons.

However, small-scale footwear manufacturers have been given a relaxation in the deadline, and they will have to comply with the norms from January 1, 2024 onwards. Also, for the micro-level footwear industry, the mandatory quality standards will be applicable from July 1, 2024, Tiwari said.

He informed that after this, no further extension would be given and the QCO will push domestic production and help check low standard imports. The QCO for 24 footwear and related products were notified in October 2020 and thereafter extension was given thrice before making it mandatory for large and medium-scale industries from next month.