Surat Textile Industry Rushes to Import Machinery Ahead of New BIS Rule

Surat | Gujarat —  In a frantic race against the clock, Surat’s massive textile weaving industry is undergoing a massive import spree, stockpiling high-speed machinery from global suppliers before a new government quality control order takes effect. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to impose a Quality Control Order (QCO) on textile machinery in mid-2026, and the Surat manufacturers are rushing to beat the deadline, concerned about the potential costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles that the new regulations will bring.

The BIS QCO, designed to ensure product quality and safety, will mandate certification for high-speed weaving machines like rapier, jacquard, water jet, and airjet machines imported from countries including China, Taiwan, Korea, Italy, and Germany. While the government’s intention is to uplift quality standards, the industry’s response reveals deep-seated anxieties.

“This is a matter of survival for many of us,” said Mayur Golwala, leader of Surat textile weaving industry, citing fears of government reprisal. “Obtaining BIS certification is a complex and expensive process. For small and medium enterprises like ours, it’s a huge financial burden and a time-consuming administrative nightmare that we simply cannot afford. We are importing now to avoid being strangled by the new rules later.”

The industry’s panic-buying has led to a significant spike in imports. Demand for rapier and water jet machines from China has reportedly surged by 30-40%, driven by their competitive pricing and quick delivery. Similarly, imports of jacquard and airjet machines from Italy and Germany, which are crucial for producing high-quality, specialized fabrics, have increased by 20-25%. This rush underscores the industry’s reliance on foreign technology and its urgent need to upgrade production capacity to stay globally competitive.

For Surat, a global textile hub, the stakes are incredibly high. The city’s weaving sector is a key pillar of India’s economy, renowned for its fabric production. The BIS QCO, while well-intentioned, presents a significant long-term challenge, particularly for the sector’s MSMEs. The certification process, which can take several months and involves factory audits and product testing, is a deterrent for smaller players who operate on thin margins.

“The government says these orders are for our own good, but they don’t understand the ground reality,” a veteran textile industrialist commented. “The cost of certification, testing fees, and the requirement for an Authorized Indian Representative will add to our overheads. It will put us at a disadvantage against competitors who don’t have to deal with these regulations. We’re stocking up on machinery now so we can continue to operate efficiently for the next few years.”

The rush to import is a clear signal of the industry’s concerns about the future landscape. While the short-term benefit is a boost in production capacity and a temporary hedge against the new regulations, experts warn of potential long-term challenges. Post-QCO implementation, any new machinery will have to comply with the stringent BIS standards, a process that could take months, causing delays and potentially creating bottlenecks in the supply chain.

Industry leaders are calling for a dialogue with the government to address these issues. They are urging for support schemes and a streamlined process to help MSMEs navigate the new regulations without facing an existential threat. The situation in Surat is a microcosm of a larger national debate: how to balance the push for quality and safety with the practical challenges faced by industries heavily reliant on international trade and machinery. For now, Surat’s textile moguls are betting on a massive pre-deadline import surge to secure their future, hoping the investment today will pay off when the new era of regulations begins.