RAI delegation had a series of meetings chaired by Hon Minister - Shri Piyush Goyal ji, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur, Shri Pramod Tiwari on Quality Control Standards (QCOs) on footwear issued by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

DPIIT has issued the attached Gazette Notifications dated 15th March (published on 16th March) regarding the Footwear QCOs effecting the following amendments:

1) Suppression of previous Footwear QCOs, 2022 issued in June, 2022.

2) Time extension for QCO implementation till 01-August-2024 for the following footwear Categories:

• 12 Leather Footwear Categories under the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 (including Sports Shoes- IS 15844, Derby Shoes- IS 17043)

• 12 footwear categories of Leather / Polymer material under the Footwear made from all-Rubber and all Polymeric material and its components (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (Including Sandals and Slippers, Hawai Chappal and others)

3) QCO exemption for legacy stock / existing stock manufactured or imported prior to commencement of this order (01-Aug-2024) and permitted to sell / liquidate till 30-June-2025 on declaration to BIS for manufacturers who are BIS Certified / in process of certification.

• QCO exemption will be for BIS certified manufacturers or any manufacturer who has applied for BIS Certification, declaring its old stock of footwear products without BIS Standards Mark manufactured or imported prior to this order.

• Such manufacturer shall be permitted to sell or display or offer to sell such declared stock up to 30th June, 2025.

4) Continued QCO exemption for Micro and Small manufacturing units as defined by MSME Development Act, 2006, and for exports.

5) QCO exemption for the import of goods /articles (like Moulded Rubber / PVC Outsoles, PU Outsoles, Microcellular Rubber Sheets for Outsoles) for domestic manufacturing meant for exports. Click on the links below to view the latest Principal Orders:

https://bit.ly/all-rubber-and-all-polymeric-materials-qco-2024

https://bit.ly/legacy-stock

https://rai.net.in/Advocacy_Files/leather-and-other-materials-qco-2024.pdf

An Interactive Session was conducted in Mumbai, at JW Marriott Sahar on 26 September 2023. The program saw participation of around 40 participants and RAI received excellent feedback for the program.

RAI had submitted a representation https://bit.ly/3GdDkXI to UP govt regarding extension for return of Halal certified products from the State of Uttar Pradesh.

We are pleased to inform that the Govt has accepted our submission and given 15 days time to withdraw such food items

KERALA
RAI delegation had a fruitful meeting with Shri KM Sunil - Addl. Labour Commissioner - Government of Kerala.
Delegation discussed about 24×7 operational permission in the State. ALC informed the delegation that Labour department had shared the clearance proposal to the Ministry. He will intimate us, once the Government gives final decision.
The meeting ended with a positive note.

TELANGANA
RAI has been working with the State Government of Telangana for enabling Ease of Doing Business and allow retailers to operate 24 X 7.
We are pleased to inform you that the State Government of Telangana has accepted our request & permitted 24 X 7 Store operations. Please click on the link below to view the notification: https://bit.ly/3r3ZJmh
Retailers can apply for 24x7 permission by submitting this form https://bit.ly/3EtawJS

Notification for enforcement of provisions of Legal Metrology Act under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023. To see the notification pls click here https://bit.ly/48HMCbx

Detailed analysis of Decriminalization amendments made in LM Act by Jan Vishwas Amendment 2023. To see the analysis pls click here https://bit.ly/3PKZox4

Last year the Govt has also amended the sub-section 2 of section 49 of the Legal Metrology Act, and allowed companies to nominate any of its responsible officer as a person responsible for the business of the Company in place of director of the company. To see the notification, pls click here https://bit.ly/48ANnmt

RAI had a fruitful meeting today with Smt Renu K. Jagdev, DG - Taxpayers Services, Delhi regarding 'Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar'.

Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar is an attractive invoice incentive Scheme.

To know more about the scheme, please click on the link below:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1951804

To view the video of the scheme pls click on the link below:
https://youtu.be/TNzUIACJvMY?si=l6Q0rkkJ9XOG2RQW

Material for retailers to promote in their stores https://bit.ly/3PkhIhy

We, at RAI believe that this scheme is beneficial for all the retailers. RAI has also been requested by the Government to promote this scheme amongst its members

RAI was invited by a meeting chaired by Hon Minister- Shri Piyush Goyal. MoS for Commerce and Industry Shri Som Parkash, Hon Secretary - DPIIT: Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Hon Additional Secretary - DPIIT: Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur were also present in the meeting. RAI delegation also had a separate meeting with Hon. Additional Secretary, DPIIT - Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur along with officials from BIS department. International brands like Skechers, Puma, Reebok, Crocs, Adidas, Kothari Industries, Tommy Hilfiger presented their road map for the next 3-5years.

Key discussion points

• Clarification on legacy stock: A simple portal will be prepared by DPIIT. Each company will have to declare the existing stock as on 31 Dec 2023 along with manufacturing date, exemption will be given to them till that stock is exhausted.
• Till December 31, 2023, no coercive action will be taken for the already announced QCOs.
• DG BIS stated that the standards for general purpose footwear is progress and all the suggestions are welcome.
• The Govt assured about setting of testing laboratories and efforts will be taken to minimize testing charges. Laboratory should be installed near factory clusters by FDDI or BIS. By December 2023, BIS will install 50 labs.
• BIS & DPIIT will do a random sample testing. All the components/raw material used for Footwears should be of a premium quality.
• BIS will have 1 license instead of different licenses for each category. 1 license for 1 factory.
• Delegation requested the department to issue proper direction to custom for clearance.
• Facilitation centre has been created by BIS to address queries. Toll free number: 1800 1112 06 This number will be operational from 9am to 6pm on all working days.
• For clearance of sample shoes at customs, BIS will examine and come out with a probable solution.

Hon AS patiently heard our views and suggestions and assured us to ease the process.

A Certificate program in laws relating to Retail in India was conducted in Mumbai on 21 – 22 June. The program saw participation of 31 participants and RAI received excellent feedback for the program.

An Interactive Workshop on Mastering Contract Drafting, Trademarks & Music Licenses was organised in Kolkata on 18th May 2023. The workshop saw participation of around 20 participants and RAI received good feedback from the participants.

RAI delegation attended the meeting chaired by Hon Minister - Shri Piyush Goyal ji on Quality Control Standards (QCOs) on footwear issued by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Outcome of the meeting:
1. QCOs already notified wherein no revision made. 
Date of implementation: 1 July 2023

2. Five QCOs (sports & fashion related) gazette notified 14 June 2023.
Date of implementation: 1 January 2024

3. QCOs not notified yet - Footwear where there is no standard like general purpose Footwear.
Date of implementation: 6 months after they are notified.

4. Reduction of exemption limit from 50 crores to 5 crores given to micro and small enterprises
Date of implementation: 1 January 2024. from 1st July 2024 there will not be any exemption.

A detailed note on Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by BIS for Footwear industry:

Click Here