THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, JULY 9, 2026
In a significant move
aimed at balancing regulatory compliance with industry growth, the Department
for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has amended two key
Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for the footwear sector, providing manufacturers
and retailers more time to clear existing inventory while encouraging
innovation through research and development (R&D).
The amendments,
notified on June 12, 2026, under S.O. 3038(E) and S.O. 3037(E), relate to the
Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024
and the Footwear made from All Rubber and all Polymeric Material and its
Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024.
A major relief for
the industry is the extension of the deadline for clearing legacy stock from
July 31, 2026, to July 31, 2027. The move recognises the seasonal nature of the
footwear business, where products often remain in the distribution chain beyond
a single sales cycle.
The additional
one-year window is expected to reduce compliance costs, minimise disruption
across the supply chain, and enable manufacturers, distributors and retailers
to liquidate existing inventory in an orderly manner before the mandatory sale
of only BIS-certified footwear products.
In another
industry-friendly measure, DPIIT has introduced an exemption allowing footwear
and leather manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs of footwear annually for
research and development and other non-commercial purposes. The imported
samples must be clearly marked and embossed with the words "NOT FOR
SALE", cannot be sold commercially, and must be scrapped after use.
Manufacturers will also be required to maintain annual records of such imports
and furnish them to the government whenever required.
The exemption is
designed to help companies assess new product designs, evaluate technical
specifications, and determine sample requirements for innovation and product development.
The imported samples can be used for vendor presentations or replication for
domestic manufacturing but are strictly barred from commercial sale.
The latest amendments
underscore DPIIT's continued focus on improving the ease of doing business
while strengthening India's quality ecosystem. By easing transitional
compliance requirements and supporting innovation, the government aims to help
the footwear industry adapt smoothly to stricter quality standards without
disrupting business operations.
The measures are
aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of "Zero Defect, Zero
Effect" manufacturing and are expected to further the objectives of the
Make in India initiative while reinforcing India's ambition to emerge as a
global hub for high-quality manufacturing.
