The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has amended two Quality Control Orders (QCOs) governing leather, rubber and polymer-based footwear, extending the deadline for clearing legacy inventory and relaxing import norms for research and development (R&D) samples.
Under the revised provisions, notified on June 12, manufacturers, distributors and retailers can now sell existing footwear stocks covered under the QCOs until July 31, 2027, extending the earlier deadline of July 31, 2026. The notification was announced by DPIIT.
According to the government, the one-year extension is intended to help the industry clear seasonal inventory in a phased manner while reducing compliance-related challenges.
The amendments also exempt footwear samples imported exclusively for research and development from the requirements of the QCOs. The exemption is expected to allow footwear manufacturers to evaluate product designs, study documentation requirements and benchmark international products before commencing commercial production.
The revised rules apply to the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024, and the Footwear made from All Rubber and all Polymeric Material and its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024, both of which require specified footwear products to obtain Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification before being sold in the domestic market.
DPIIT also noted that the changes are aimed at facilitating product development and improving ease of doing business while maintaining the quality and safety standards prescribed under the QCO framework.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
