The Government of Chhattisgarh has issued an important amendment to the Chhattisgarh Municipality (Trade License) Rules, 2025 (effective 25 June 2026). Under the new provisions, businesses are no longer required to obtain or renew a municipal trade licence, provided they hold the requisite registrations/licences under the applicable laws (such as Shops & Establishments, FSSAI, Drugs & Cosmetics Act, Factories Act, etc.).
However, the prescribed municipal registration fee will continue to be payable.
Please click on the link to view the order: https://bitly.cx/GPG1
Earlier the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had waived the requirement for health and general trade licences for restaurants and commercial establishments that already have valid FSSAI and GST registrations.
Please click on the link to view it. https://bitly.cx/2Hdw
This is a significant reform that reduces unnecessary compliance while ensuring businesses remain regulated under the appropriate statutory framework. It is a welcome step towards improving the ease of doing business.
RAI will actively pursue other States to replicate this progressive reform and create a more business-friendly regulatory environment across the country.
1. QCO timeline extended by one year
RAI had a series of meetings with officials from DPIIT and BIS, during which we highlighted that a significant portion of the non-BIS-compliant inventory comprises slow-moving stock and would therefore require additional time for liquidation.
Following RAI's representations to DPIIT and BIS, the transition timeline under the Leather Footwear QCO has been extended from 31 July 2026 to 31 July 2027. Please click on the link below to view the notification:
This gives the sector much-needed time to liquidate slow-moving stock amid weak sales sentiment and rising input costs
2. New R&D/Sample import exemption
Manufacturers of leather and footwear products may now import up to 4,500 pairs per year for R&D and non-commercial use, exempt from QCO requirements, subject to: not sold commercially; marked/embossed "NOT FOR SALE"; disposed of as scrap; and year-wise records furnished to the Government on request.
As per the notification issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, all e-commerce platforms offering imported products for sale are required to ensure that product listings include a searchable and sortable filter clearly indicating the Country of Origin.
Please click on the link below to view the notification.
This requirement will come into effect from 1 July 2027.
Members dealing in imported products are advised to initiate necessary coordination with their technology teams for required platform and UI updates, and with marketplace partners, to ensure timely compliance within the stipulated timeline.
We are pleased to inform you that the Government of Tamil Nadu has launched the Traders & Retailers Module on the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal (TNSWP), aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business in the State.
This module enables traders and retailers to access 22 key regulatory clearances, including Shops & Establishments Registration and local body trade licenses, required to establish and operate their businesses.
To learn more about the portal, please click here:
Access the portal directly:
The portal is available in both Tamil and English, ensuring greater accessibility for businesses across Tamil Nadu.
Members operating in the State of Tamil Nadu are encouraged to explore and adopt this system for streamlined approvals and compliance.
We also request you to share your valuable feedback and suggestions to help improve the platform. Additionally, please write to us regarding any challenges faced while using the portal, so that we can take them up with the concerned authorities.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued a notification under the Andhra Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act, 1988, permitting shops and commercial establishments in urban local bodies (population above 4 lakhs) to operate 24/7 throughout the year as part of ease of doing business reforms.
Please click here to view the notification:
RAI believes that this move will support the growth of the retail sector in the state and provide greater flexibility and convenience to customers.
We are pleased to inform you of a significant and welcome development announced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The key highlights of the reform are as follows:
1. Perpetual Validity of FSSAI License and Registration
FSSAI licenses and registrations will now have perpetual validity, eliminating the need for periodic renewals that were previously required.
Please click on the link below to view the notification
2. Revised Turnover Thresholds
The turnover thresholds for different categories of FSSAI registration and licensing have been revised:
• Basic Registration: Up to Rs. 1.5 crore annual turnover
• State License: Above Rs. 1.5 crore and up to Rs. 50 crore annual turnover
• Central License: Above Rs. 50 crore annual turnover
Please click on the link below to view the notification
RAI welcomes these reforms and believes that these reforms significantly reduce the compliance burden on food businesses.
RAI has submitted a representation to the Government of Goa highlighting the operational, commercial, and compliance challenges related to the proposed implementation of the Deposit Refund System (DRS), scheduled to come into effect from 2nd April 2026.
RAI has requested the Government to consider a deferment of the scheme and undertake wider stakeholder consultations to ensure overall ecosystem readiness. Please click on the link below to view RAI's submission:
We will continue to engage with the authorities on behalf of our members and keep you informed of any developments. Members are encouraged to share additional inputs or on-ground challenges with the RAI team so that these can be discussed during meetings with the authorities.
RAI has submitted a detailed representation to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the hardship being faced by retailers due to the freezing of bank accounts by banks, pursuant to instructions issued by National Cyber Crime authorities.
The representation highlights key challenges being experienced by retailers across the country, including blanket freezing of accounts, lack of prior notice, disproportionate operational impact, and the need for clear guidelines to ensure proportionality and due process, while fully supporting the Government’s efforts to combat cybercrime.
A copy of the representation is enclosed herewith for your information and reference.
RAI continues to engage with the relevant Ministries, regulators, and stakeholders on this matter and will keep members informed of any further developments.
Should you have specific inputs or experiences you wish to share, you may write to palak@rai.net.in separately
Retailers Association of India is pleased to share the Advisory on Customer Personal Data Protection and Consent Compliance Framework, issued to support member organizations in strengthening compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
It is intended to help members align legal compliance with operational continuity and customer trust.
The advisory outlines key principles and practical guidance on consent management, data governance, and operational compliance across retail channels and third-party engagements. It has been reviewed by the Advocacy Committee of RAI.
Members are encouraged to review the advisory and evaluate its applicability to their internal policies and processes. This document can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
It is issued for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice.
RAI delegation held a meeting with Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT and represented that large amusement park machines—imported in limited quantities, of high value and specialized nature, and used exclusively for self-operation—should be kept outside the purview of the proposed QCO or be provided with a specific exemption mechanism. RAI had submitted the following representation to the Department in this regard:
The delegation was asked to submit a roadmap for phase-wise implementation of the QCO.
We shall keep you posted on any development in this regard.