India plans to introduce new quality control orders to boost textiles
The government is set to introduce new quality control orders (QCOs) for various textile products, such as technical, protective and build-tech textiles, according to two people in the know.
This initiative aims to curb the influx of cheap Chinese textiles, and bolster India’s standing in global manufacturing and supply chains through enhanced quality control measures.
The Centre aims to ensure product quality via QCOs in
RAVI KRISHNAN consultation with the industry and export promotion councils, and may also leverage it to encourage global players to establish manufacturing units in India. However, QCOs do not apply to export items.
The government has set a target to include more than 2,000 textile products under the QCO. Currently, products such as bedsheets, pillow covers, shoe covers, napkins, baby diapers, orchard protection covers, fencing nets, and insect nets are under the ambit of QCOs.
Technical textiles comprise PPE kits and masks, while protective textiles include safety
FOR ANY QUERIES/DELIVERY ISSUES
MANHAR KAPOOR kits for firefighters and construction workers, and buildtech textiles include products utilized for slope stabilization, load-bearing, and various other construction-related applications.
The government has identified five key focus areas to strengthen India’s textiles ecosystem. These are: addressing skill gaps and infrastructure through initiatives such as PM MITRA parks, the productionlinked incentive scheme, Technical Textiles Mission, Samarth and the National Handloom Development Programme.
“We have introduced QCOs with two main objectives. One, to improve the quality of products and, two, to curb substandard imports,” one of the two people said. “The effort is to establish Indian textiles as a quality product.”
“Technical textiles are primarily concerned with performance rather than aesthetics. In case of PPE kits, they must meet specific technical specifications such as viral protection standards and blood circulation requirements.
This is why QCOs are necessary for these textiles,” he added.
“The new QCOs under consideration are for protective, agro, and build-tech textiles, and they are expected to be introduced in the coming months. Consultations with stakeholders are in progress,” the second person said.
Queries emailed to the textiles ministry did not elicit a response till press time.
According to the latest data from the commerce ministry, textile exports totalled $30.96 billion during the April 2023February 2024 period, down from $32.33 billion a year ago. India is the world’s third largest exporter of textiles and apparel with a 4.6% share of global trade, and ranks among the top five exporters in several textile categories. Exports are projected to reach $65 billion by FY26.
As India seeks to strengthen its position in global manufacturing and supply chains by enhancing quality control measures, it is simultaneously negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with various countries to boost exports.