Footwear Manufacturers Seek Exemption from BIS Norms for Micro-Units, Cite Practical Challenges
Introduction: Footwear manufacturers from Kerala have recently appealed to the Indian government, requesting additional time to comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for their products. They have also urged the authorities to exempt micro-units entirely from the implementation of these norms. The industry contends that the immediate implementation of BIS standards for a large number of products is impractical and may cause significant disruptions.Background: The BIS order mandates that 24 footwear items must adhere to the specified norms by July 1, 2023. However, manufacturers argue that complying with these quality standards within the given timeframe poses significant challenges, particularly for small-scale and medium-scale units.Concerns Raised by Footwear Manufacturers: V.K.C. Razak, representing the Footwear Manufacturers' Association, expressed the industry's willingness to adhere to quality standards but emphasized that…
