QCO Orders for Polyester Yarn Deferred, notification in two days

Surat : The Secretary (Chemicals and Fertilisers) of the Government of India, Arun Baroka, met with a delegation of textile leaders from Surat on Monday, assuring them that a notification for the deferment of the implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCO) for Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) certification on various Polyester Yarn would be released in the next two days. The QCO orders were originally scheduled to come into effect on July 3.

Prior to the meeting with Arun Baroka, the textile association leaders had a discussion with Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health, on Saturday. During the meeting, Minister Mandaviya provided assurance to the delegation members that the implementation of the QCO orders would be deferred by another six months. However, the textile association leaders later announced that the government had accepted their demands, resulting in a deferment of the QCO orders for a period of six months.

Ashok Jirawala, President of the Federation of Gujarat Weavers Welfare Association (FOGWA), expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We met with Arun Baroka ji, Secretary, Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India, and he has informed us that the department will issue a notification deferring the implementation of QCO orders on polyester yarn in the next two days.”

The decision to defer the implementation of QCO orders for polyester yarn comes as a relief to the textile industry in Surat. The industry has been facing significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions in the supply chain. The QCO orders, which required mandatory BIS certification for polyester yarn, raised concerns among textile manufacturers regarding potential disruptions and increased compliance costs.

The deferment of the QCO orders will provide much-needed breathing space for the industry, allowing manufacturers to focus on recovery and streamlining operations without the immediate burden of compliance. This decision acknowledges the concerns raised by textile leaders and demonstrates the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue and address the needs of the industry.

The textile sector is a vital contributor to the Indian economy, providing employment and driving export revenues. The deferment of the QCO orders reflects the government’s recognition of the importance of sustaining and supporting this crucial industry during these challenging times.

The announcement by Arun Baroka, the Secretary (Chemicals and Fertilisers), has been met with a sense of relief and appreciation among textile leaders in Surat. The forthcoming notification for deferment is eagerly awaited, and industry stakeholders are hopeful that it will provide the necessary clarity and flexibility required for a smooth transition in the future.

According to FIASWI, polyester yarn is primarily an industrial raw material, and buyers and customers are already well-informed about their specific requirements for the quality of yarn needed to manufacture fabric. The BIS certification scheme, which is voluntary in nature, should not be subjected to mandatory certification guidelines. FIASWI further argues that the non-availability of high-quality yarn from the international market will potentially give rise to unfair trade practices among domestic yarn manufacturers.

It has been reported that numerous overseas manufacturers have submitted applications for BIS certification since December 2021. However, as of now, there has been no progress from BIS authorities in visiting their plants for inspection. This delay in the certification process has created a significant gap between the demand and supply of Polyester Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY).

The industry bodies have called for the removal of these orders, which are scheduled to take effect on July 3, 2023. In a letter addressed to Rachna Shah, the Textile Secretary of the Government of India, and J K Gupta, Head Specifications (Textiles) at BIS, FIASWI has highlighted the need to rectify impractical provisions in the current guidelines.