Footwear retailers have asked for more time to apply these standards because the Quality Control Order (QCO) for footwear is set to take effect on 1st July in the nation. Industry organisations have requested the government in their submissions to provide footwear retailers an additional 8–10 months from the QCO for footwear producers. This request is being made so that merchants can place orders and buy stock from producers of BIS-compliant footwear.
For footwear made of leather, rubber, and polymer in 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had issued QCO. After implementation, it will be a requirement for shoemakers to adhere to Indian Standards. Under a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards, all footwear items will also need to display a Standard Mark.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Retailers Association of India (RAI), Confederation of All India Trader (CAIT), and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) have all filed letters of complaint to DPIIT on this issue. These business organisations have pushed for a delay in the QCO’s implementation deadlines and expressed worry over the order’s unclear applicability to merchandise that was made and purchased before 30th June.
According to a FICCI representative, very few manufacturers and suppliers have thus far been successful in obtaining BIS permits. Even after the QCO’s effective date, it said, “At the current rate, the certification process for the majority of manufacturers will not be completed.” Industry organisations have also voiced concerns about the bulk of footwear testing facilities’ lack of internal testing facilities.
RAI stated in its representation that even if all manufacturers have BIS licences by 30th June, retailers and distributors of footwear would not be able to comply with QCO as of the same date that is applicable for manufacturers. This is because shops will be stuck with footwear stocks made before 1st July, it was added.
“Assuming all or majority of manufacturers getting BIS licenses by 30th June, 2023, the retailers would still require a lead time of around 4-6 months for placing purchase orders, designing process, manufacturing of customized /assorted orders, logistics and last mile transportation till pan-India retail stores to maintain sufficient inventory,” RAI stated in its letter.
These business organisations have therefore requested the Centre to allow footwear retailers “sufficient lead time from the date of implementation of QCO by the manufacturers, i.e. 8-10 months from the effective date for the manufacturer.”
Prior to this, the Centre had decided to delay the start of the QCO for the footwear industry from 1st July 2022 by one year.
