Extension Notice for Implementation of Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024

Introduction to the Quality Control Order for Footwear Products

The Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 was originally issued by the Central Government under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, with the objective of regulating the quality, safety, as well as performance of footwear products being sold in the Indian market.

Under this Quality Control Order (QCO), manufacturers as well as importers of footwear made from leather and other specified materials are required to ensure compliance with the applicable Indian Standards and obtain BIS certification before placing such products on the market. The QCO was introduced to prevent substandard imports, enhance consumer safety, and promote uniform quality benchmarks across the footwear industry.

However, in view of industry readiness as well as implementation challenges, the enforcement timeline of this order has now been revised through an official extension notice.

Key Changes You Need to Know

1. An update has been issued by the BIS under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through an extension notification that is dated 15 March 2024.
2. For this notification, the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 has been amended in order to extend the date of its implementation.
3. The primary objective of this extension is basically to provide additional time to manufacturers, importers, as well as other stakeholders to align their products, testing processes, and documentation with the prescribed BIS standards.

What is the Date of Implementation?

As per the latest BIS extension notice, the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 shall now come into force with effect from 1 August 2024. Mandatory BIS certification requirements for the covered footwear products will apply from this revised date for all businesses dealing with such products.

Now, What to Do?

Even though the implementation date has been extended, businesses should use this time wisely in order to avoid last-minute compliance issues. In simple terms, stakeholders should:

• Check whether their footwear products are covered under this QCO.
• Understand the applicable Indian Standards for their product category.
• Keep basic documents such as test reports, factory details, as well as quality records ready.
• Start the BIS certification process early in order to prevent supply or sales disruptions after 1 August 2024.

Brand Liaison offers end-to-end support for BIS certification for footwear products, including technical assistance, standard identification, testing coordination, documentation help, as well as regulatory guidance. With practical experience in handling QCO-based compliances, we help footwear manufacturers as well as importers achieve timely, smooth, and absolutely hassle-free BIS certification for uninterrupted access to the Indian market.