Centre issues notification Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022 mandating quality assurance in various protective textiles
In a proactive move to safeguard public health and safety, the Centre has announced stringent measures to uphold the quality standards of protective textiles. With the surge in demand for protective gear amidst ongoing global challenges, ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of such products has become paramount.
The new notification, Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022 issued by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, underscores the importance of quality assurance in various protective textiles, including Protective Gloves for Firefighters (as per IS 16874: 2018), Protective Clothing for Firefighters (as per IS 16874: 2018), Protective clothing used in industrial processes involving exposure to Heat (as per IS 15748: 2018), High visibility Warning Clothes (as per IS 15809: 2017), Bullet Resistant Jackets (as per IS 17051: 2018) and other protective textiles. It mandates stringent quality control measures throughout the manufacturing, distribution, and procurement processes.
Key highlights of the notification include:
1. Comprehensive Quality Standards: Manufacturers are required to adhere to comprehensive quality standards set forth by Bureau of Indian Standards. This includes requirements for raw materials used, safety and performance testing.
2. Certification Requirements: All protective textiles must undergo rigorous testing and certification procedures to ensure compliance with established quality benchmarks. With the implementation of the QCO, no person can manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any product(s) covered under the QCO without a Standard Mark except under a valid certification from BIS. As the QCO is equally applicable to Indian manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers, the Indian consumers are assured of the quality of such products manufactured in India as well as imported to the country. As on date, 14 domestic manufacturers have taken BIS certification for the products covered in the QCO.
3. Enforcement and Monitoring: The QCO on Protective textiles has been implemented with effect from 07.10.2023. Provision of enforcement by BIS officers is available under the provisions of the BIS Act, 20216. Strict penalties will be imposed on entities found violating the QCO under the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) calls upon the manufacturers, traders, consumers and other stakeholders engaged in production, supply and distribution & usage of above Protective Textile Products to actively participate in this collective effort and uphold the quality of protective textiles to mitigate potential risks. For more information and updates on the notification, please visit www.bis.gov.in or contact nearest Branch Office of BIS.
The information on QCOs issued by the Central Government for other products can also be obtained from BIS website (www.bis.gov.in) under the following link Conformity Assessment -> Product Certification -> Products under Compulsory Certification.
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AD/NS
(Release ID :254322)