The government has given footwear manufacturers an extra year to sell their existing inventory before stricter quality rules become mandatory. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has extended the deadline for clearing old stock to July 31, 2027, from the earlier deadline of July 31, 2026.The government has also allowed footwear manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs of shoe samples every year for research and development (R&D) and other non-commercial purposes. Both changes come through amendments to two Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering leather, rubber and polymer-based footwear.
According to the DPIIT, the one-year extension recognises that footwear is a seasonal business and unsold inventory often remains in the supply chain for more than one sales cycle. After July 31, 2027, only footwear certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will be allowed to be sold in India.
R&D sample importsUnder the revised rules, footwear companies can import up to 4,500 pairs of samples annually for product development, testing and other non-commercial purposes. These samples must be clearly marked “NOT FOR SALE”, cannot be sold in the market, and must be scrapped after use. Companies will also have to maintain records of such imports and produce them before the government whenever required.The relaxation is aimed at helping manufacturers study new product designs, complete documentation requirements, and test samples before starting domestic production. The imported footwear may also be used for vendor presentations or to develop products for manufacturing in India, but cannot be sold commercially.Also read:RBI launches 3 key surveys to get input for monetary policyQuality rules remain unchangedThe DPIIT said the changes are intended to make compliance easier for the footwear industry without diluting quality standards. Apart from extending the deadline for clearing old inventory, the amendments also create a framework for importing footwear samples for R&D while ensuring they do not enter the commercial market.
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