Recently, Quality Control Orders (QCO) have been issued for cotton, polyester, and viscose fibres that are the primary raw materials for the Indian textile and clothing industry. While these standards were available earlier too, they are now revised and made mandatory for a few, and yet to be finalised for others. The aim of QCO is to control the import of sub-quality and cheaper items and to ensure that customers get quality products.

Aim of QCO

The Indian textile and clothing industry consumes both indigenous and imported fibres and filaments. The imports are for different reasons such as cost competitiveness, non-availability in the domestic market, or to meet a specified demand of the overseas buyer. The main aim of the QCO is to control import of sub-quality and cheaper items and to ensure that customers get quality products. The QCO is also meant to ensure that India’s textile industry remains competitive in the international market.

Challenges
  • India imports 50,000 – 60,000 tonnes of viscose fiber and its variants annually.
  • Getting the certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) involves a cost that not all suppliers are willing to pay.
  • Some Indian textile manufacturers depend on these uncertified suppliers for their raw materials.
  • These manufacturers will have to find other suppliers or risk losing orders if their current suppliers don’t obtain BIS certification.
  • The BIS must visit the manufacturing unit abroad before issuing the certificate, and not all suppliers who have applied for BIS registration have completed this process.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the fibres that were shipped before certification and are due to arrive in India in the coming days.
  • The disruption caused by the certification process affects both domestic and international textile buyers, who have established a supply chain over the years.
Way forward

Several textile units use lower grade fibres that are generated from rejects and wastes and these are not covered under the QCO. There is also a fear of costs going up for basic garments. Polyester spun yarn mills in the MSME sector need capital support to set up labs to test products. The QCO should be implemented only after the ambiguities are cleared and the anomalies set right.

International manufacturers of these fibres, who supply to India, are also mandated to get a certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the certifying authority for the QCOs. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Why In News

The QCO for cotton, polyester, and viscose fibers aim to ensure that only high-quality materials are used in the production of textiles in India.The implementation of QCO for these fibers is expected to improve the competitiveness of the Indian textile and clothing industry in the global market by enhancing the quality of the final products.

MCQs about Quality Control Orders for Fibres

  1. What is the aim of the Quality Control Orders (QCO) for cotton, polyester, and viscose fibres in India?
    A. To control the import of sub-quality and cheaper items and ensure customers get quality products
    B. To increase the cost of basic garments
    C. To reduce the competitiveness of India’s textile industry
    D. To ban the import of all foreign fibres and filaments
    Correct Answer: A. To control the import of sub-quality and cheaper items and ensure customers get quality products.
    Explanation: The aim of the Quality Control Orders (QCO) for cotton, polyester, and viscose fibres is to control the import of sub-quality and cheaper items and ensure customers get quality products. The QCO is also meant to ensure that India’s textile industry remains competitive in the international market.
  2. Why do some Indian textile manufacturers depend on uncertified suppliers for their raw materials?
    A. Because the certified suppliers charge too much for their products
    B. Because the uncertified suppliers are the only ones who have the required materials
    C. Because getting certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a costly process
    D. Because they do not care about the quality of their products
    Correct Answer: C. Because getting certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a costly process.
    Explanation: Getting the certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) involves a cost that not all suppliers are willing to pay. As a result, some Indian textile manufacturers depend on these uncertified suppliers for their raw materials, and these manufacturers will have to find other suppliers or risk losing orders if their current suppliers don’t obtain BIS certification.
  3. Which organization is responsible for issuing the certificate for the QCO?
    A. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
    B. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
    C. The National Standards Body of India
    D. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
    Correct Answer: B. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
    Explanation: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. The BIS is responsible for issuing the certificate for the QCO.

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