Indian Economy News

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are a game changer for the leather sector: Mr. Piyush Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Mr. Piyush Goyal has declared the Quality Control Orders for the leather industry a game changer. While speaking with stakeholders from the Indian Footwear Industry in New Delhi, the Minister stated that the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) will help strengthen India's brand and increase the value of Indian products.

Mr. Goyal emphasised that the QCOs will be applied in letter and spirit for 24 items commencing July 1, 2023.

However, for five recently amended standards, manufacturers producing items in accordance with these revised requirements will be permitted an additional six months to comply with the QCOs beginning on January 1, 2024. Furthermore, QCOs will be implemented for small-scale enterprises on January 1, 2024, and for micro-scale industries on July 1, 2024.

Mr. Piyush Goyal urged the Indian industry to collaborate with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to develop standards for products that are currently not covered by these standards so that they can be brought under QCOs within 6 months of notification. Mr. Goyal announced that BIS will cut the Testing Charges for footwear goods under the QCOs by 80% for Certified Start-ups and Micro Industrial Units.

Mr. Goyal also made an important statement, stating that from the next Monday, June 19th, 2023, BIS will devote one hour of every working day to interaction through video conference. Director General, BIS, Mr. Pramod Kumar Tiwari was urged to publicise this arrangement widely and to ensure that any concerns or complaints are properly registered and swiftly addressed.

Mr. Goyal emphasised the importance of quality and consumers in driving the economic growth of the nation. He asked all parties to collaborate in order to develop the country's quality ecosystem and meet consumer expectations.

Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh; Director General, BIS, Mr. Pramod Kumar Tiwari; and Additional Secretary (DPIIT), Mr. Rajeev Singh Thakur were also present at the meeting.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.