The Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association (FOGWA) has made representations to union ministers in Delhi, requesting a nine-month extension to implement Quality Control Orders (QCO) mandating Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) code on polyester yarns from April 3, 2023. The members handed memorandums to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshana Jardosh in Delhi on Monday, mentioning that there is no clarity in the QCO on BIS code for polyester yarns and that it would lead to the closure of all units engaged in the production of fabrics. The delegation was led by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) president Himanshu Bodawala. In the memorandum, the association stated, “The industry appreciates the intent of the government to have quality material to be used to produce goods for export markets and domestic consumers, while we strongly believe that the decision should not be made applicable in haste, causing panic among the user industry.” As per QCO, all kind of polyester yarns used in India will have to comply with the respective IS codes. According to industry, the practice of using 3 to 4 grades of quality to produce articles based on market demand will be hampered as the QCO codes mandate only one quality per yarn. Some of the yarns on which the QCO orders are applicable are used to manufacture some tent cloths, sewing threads, ropes, etc. Once the QCO is implemented, the raw material for such products cannot be sold in Indian markets and will force the closure of units engaged in their production. QCO will also block the import of specialty polyester yarns used for various applications. Many international suppliers of such yarn have not been granted BIS certification months after applying. Non-availability of testing equipment to mandate IS codes will also lead to the non-certification of many domestic manufacturers of yarn, they said. Talking to The Indian Express, SGCCI president Himanshu Bodawala said, “We have explained all the details to the union ministers and requested to give us an extension of nine months for the implementation of QCO. They have assured that something will be done.”
