Quality Control Orders (QCOs), issued by the Government of India, play a key role in ensuring the availability of safe, reliable and quality products to consumers. Products under QCOs require a mandatory BIS licence and shouldn’t be manufactured, sold or imported without BIS Standard Marks.
Recently, the Government of India has mandated a BIS licence for 24 footwear products. QCOs cover footwear made of leather, rubber, polymeric and other materials.
This blog addresses ‘frequently asked questions’ on ‘Quality Control Orders for footwear products’. It seeks to provide valuable insights into related queries.
FAQs on QCOs for Footwear Products
Q1: What is a Quality Control Order?
A1: BIS certification scheme is basically voluntary in nature. However, for a number of products,
compliance to Indian Standards is made compulsory by the Central Government under various
considerations viz. public interest, protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of environment,
prevention of unfair trade practices and national security.
For such products, the Central Government directs mandatory use of Standard Mark under a Licence
from BIS through issuance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) in exercise of the powers conferred by
sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 16 read in conjunction with section 17 and subsection (3) of section
25 of the BIS Act, 2016.
After the date of commencement of the QCO, no person shall manufacture, import, distribute, sell,
hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any product(s) covered under the QCO without the Standard Mark
(e.g. the ISI Mark).
For more information on QCOs, please refer the guidance document on QCOs published by BIS on its
website www.bis.gov.in
Q2: Which are the footwear products for which the Government has issued Quality Control Orders?
A2: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Government of India has issued three QCOs bringing 27 products under compulsory BIS
certification, these are as follows (follow the links under the “QCO” column for accessing the full text
of the QCOs including the list of the products and applicable Indian Standards):
Q3: Have MSMEs been exempted from the footwear QCOs?
A3: Presently, Micro and Small Scale enterprises (as defined in the MSME Act) have been kept outside
the purview of the QCOs for All-Rubber and all Polymeric material and its components and Leather
and other materials.
However, Small scale enterprises will also be covered under these QCOs from 1st January 2024 whereas micro scale enterprises will be covered from 1st July 2024.
Q4: I heard that BIS has recently revised standards for certain products. Will industry get some time
to comply with the QCOs with respect to the products as per the revised standards? Does this apply
to both domestic and foreign manufacturers?
A4: For the following products for which standards have been revised recently, the manufacturers
making the products as per these revised specifications will be given an additional time of 6 months
to comply i.e. up to 31 December 2023.
Current IS No. (Product) : IS 15844:2010 – Sports Footwear
Revised IS No. (Product) : IS 15844 (Part 1):2023 – Sports Footwear Part -1 General Purpose, and
IS 15844 (Part 2):2023 – Sports Footwear Part 2 Performance Sports Footwear
Current IS No. (Product) :IS 10702:1992 – Rubber Hawai Chappal
Revised IS No.(Product) : IS 10702:2023 – Hawai Chappal
Current IS No.(Product) :IS 11544:1986 –Rubber Slipper
Revised IS No.(Product) :IS 6721:2023 –Sandal and Slipper
Current IS No.(Product) :IS 6721:1972 –PVC Sandal
Revised IS No.(Product) :IS 6721:2023 –Sandal and Slipper
This applies to both domestic and foreign manufacturers making footwear for consumers in India.
Q5: My company owns several manufacturing units spread across various locations. Do I need to
obtain BIS certification for all these units?
A5: Yes, BIS certification is granted to a manufacturing premises and not to a company. Therefore,
separate certification (licence) shall need to be obtained for each manufacturing premises
(manufacturing premise(s) means the premises, either owned by the applicant or otherwise, where a
part of the manufacturing activity takes place and includes the premises where the final
manufacturing activity is carried out and where Standard Mark is to be used or applied).
Q6: I am an importer/buyer/retailer/wholesaler/distributor of the footwear products covered
under these QCOs, do I also need to take BIS certification?
A6: No, BIS grants certification only to manufacturing units and not to
buyers/importers/retailers/wholesalers/distributors.
However, buyers/importers/retailers/wholesalers/distributors shall ensure that the products covered
under QCOs are purchased only from manufacturing units holding a valid BIS licence.
Adhering to these QCOs is not only a legal requirement but also a commitment towards providing customers with quality and safe footwear. For consumers, being aware of these rules and their significance, can help them make informed choices, ensuring they get the best value for their money.
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