Introduction: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, has issued a crucial notification regarding the quality control of footwear. This article delves into the details of the new Quality Control Order 2024 and its impact on the footwear industry.
Detailed Analysis: The notification, S.O. 1421(E), issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, supersedes the previous order concerning footwear quality control. It mandates the compulsory use of the Standard Mark for specified footwear products, ensuring compliance with corresponding Indian Standards.
Under the new order, footwear products must adhere to Indian Standards specified in the notification. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is designated as the certifying and enforcing authority for these goods. However, certain exemptions apply, such as export goods and products from micro and small manufacturing units as per the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
Manufacturers certified by the BIS or those who have applied for certification before the commencement of the order are allowed to sell their existing stock without the Standard Mark until a specified date.
The notification includes a comprehensive table listing various footwear categories along with their corresponding Indian Standards. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to the latest versions of Indian Standards notified by the BIS.
Conclusion: The Ministry’s new Quality Control Order 2024 for footwear marks a significant regulatory development aimed at enhancing product quality and consumer safety. By mandating conformity to Indian Standards and the use of the Standard Mark, the order seeks to streamline quality assurance processes and ensure uniformity in footwear manufacturing.
While the order imposes certain obligations on manufacturers, it also provides necessary exemptions and transitional provisions to facilitate a smooth transition. Overall, the implementation of this order is expected to elevate industry standards, boost consumer confidence, and promote competitiveness in the footwear market.
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
ORDER
New Delhi, the 15th March, 2024
S.O. 1421(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (2) of section 16 read with subsection (3) of section 25 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), and in supersession of the Footwear made from Leather and other materials (Quality Control) Order, 2022, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government, after consulting the Bureau of Indian Standards, is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest, hereby makes the following Order, namely:-
1. Short title and commencement.–(1) This Order may be called the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024.
(2) It shall come into force with effect from the 1st day of August, 2024.
2. Compulsory use of Standard Mark.– Goods or articles specified in the column (2) of the Table shall conform to the corresponding Indian Standard specified in the column (3) of the said Table and shall bear the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018:
Provided that nothing in this Order shall apply to goods or articles meant for export:
Provided further that nothing in this Order shall apply to micro and small manufacturing units as defined in section 7 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006), as amended from time to time:
Provided also that if any manufacturer certified by the Bureau or any manufacturer who has applied for Certification to the Bureau, declares prior to the Commencement of this Order, under sub-section (4) of section 18 of the Bureau of Indian Standards, Act 2016 (11 of 2016) its old stock of footwear products without Bureau of Indian Standards Mark manufactured or imported prior to such commencement, such manufacturer shall be permitted to sell or display or offer to sell such declared stock upto the 30th June, 2025.
3. Certification and enforcement authority.– The Bureau of Indian Standards shall be the certifying and enforcing authority for the goods or articles specified in the column (2) of the Table.
TABLE
| Sl. No. | Goods or articles | Indian Standard | Title of Indian Standard |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
| 1. | Leather safety boots and shoes |
IS 1989(Part-1): 1986 | Specification for leather safety boots and shoes Part 1 for miners |
| IS 1989(Part-2): 1986 | Specification for leather safety boots and shoes Part 2 for heavy metal industries | ||
| 2. | Canvas Shoes Rubber Sole | IS 3735: 1996 | Canvas Shoes, Rubber Sole- Specification |
| 3. | Canvas Boots Rubber Sole | IS 3736: 1995 | Canvas Boots, Rubber Sole- Specification |
| 4. | Safety Boots for Miners | IS 3976: 2018 | Safety Boots for Miners- Specification |
| 5. | Leather safety footwear having direct moulded rubber sole |
IS 11226: 1993 | Leather safety footwear having direct moulded rubber sole- Specification |
| 7. | Leather safety and protective footwear with direct moulded Polymeric sole |
IS 14544: 2022 | Leather safety and protective footwear with direct moulded Polymeric Sole – Specification |
| 8. | Sports Footwear | IS 15844(Part-1): 2023 | Sports Footwear – Part 1 General Purpose |
| IS 15844(Part-2): 2023 | Sports Footwear – Part 2 Performance Sports Footwear | ||
| IS 15844(Part 3): 2024 | Sports Footwear-Part 3 Professional Sports Footwear | ||
| 9. | High ankle tactical boots with PU – Rubber sole |
IS 17012: 2018 | High ankle tactical boots with PU – Rubber Sole – Specification |
| 10. | Anti-riot shoes | IS 17037: 2018 | Anti-riot shoes – Specification |
| 11. | Shoes for Services and for General Purpose | IS 17043 (Part-1): 2024 | Shoes- Specification Part 1 Shoes for Services |
| 12 | IS 17043 (Part-2): 2024 | Shoes- Specification Part 2 Shoes for General Purpose |
Note : For the purposes of this Table, the latest version of Indian Standards, as amended from time to time, as notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards, shall apply.
[F. No. P-27025/80/2023-Leather]
RAJEEV SINGH THAKUR, Addl. Secy.
