On 21 March 2023, RAI was invited for a meeting chaired by Shri Ajay Kumar Lal - Scientist, BIS to discuss QCOs for footwear. A delegation of 30 footwear retailers representing international brands attended the meeting.

There were detailed discussions on practical difficulties faced by members on various standards. Mr Lal gave a patient hearing. Members were asked to submit all the concerns with technical explanation and possible solution in writing.

Delegation had also raised that the existing inventory/ goods produced before 30th June 2023 should not be under the BIS purview. Mr Lal suggested to take the issue with DPIIT.

Further to a series of meetings and discussions with DPIIT on BIS regulations on footwear, RAI had submitted the following representation to the Department to support the Indian Footwear Retail industry with sufficient compliance time-frame:

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We shall keep you posted once we hear back from the Department.