RAI delegation had a series of meetings chaired by DG – BIS: Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari and Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur – AS, DPIIT for extension of deadline for implementation of QCOs on footwear. We are pleased to inform that DPIIT has issued the attached Gazette Notifications dated 15th March (published on 16th March) regarding the Footwear QCOs effecting the following amendments:

• Suppression of previous Footwear QCOs, 2022 issued in June, 2022
• 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)
• 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 the 30th June, 2025.
• Continued QCO exemption for Micro and Small manufacturing units as defined by MSME Development Act, 2006, and for exports.
• 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.

RAI also had a discussion with Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur for inclusion of retailers (and held footwear stock) under the QCO exemption provision for legacy stock manufactured / imported prior to the Footwear QCO effective date, on declaration to BIS. RAI has shared the figures of non-BIS legacy stock and with DPIIT and BIS.

DPIIT will discuss internally with BIS for inclusion of retailers (and held footwear stock) under the QCO exemption provision for legacy stock manufactured / imported prior to the Footwear QCO effective date, on declaration to BIS