Highlighting the importance of quality control orders (QCOs) for ensuring product quality for consumers, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal encouraged the Leather and Footwear Industry stakeholders to scale up the industry to USD 50 billion by 2030. The minister added that micro and small units under MSMEs would continue to be exempted from the purview of QCOs.
While interacting with leather industry stakeholders in New Delhi, Goyal called for synergy within the industry to develop a design studio with state-of-the-art infrastructure, globally competitive footwear designs and inviting participation from domestic and international brands.
To address industry concerns regarding QCOs, the minister assured that the government would make the QCO certification process smooth and flexible for the industry.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed that the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has notified two QCOs dated 15 March 2024 for the leather and footwear sector, which will become effective from 1 August 2024. The manufacturers have been given a chance to declare old stock before 1 August 2024 and sell the declared stock by 30 June 2025.
India stands as the second-largest producer of footwear, contributing 10.7 per cent of global production, as per the ministry. The leather and footwear sector contributes around two per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), generating employment for approximately 4.42 million people, the ministry added.
“The interaction saw the participation of more than 120 stakeholders including representatives from bodies like Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), Council of Leather Exports (CLE), Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), representatives of Retailers Association of India (RAI) along with others,” according to the ministry. (ANI)
