India issues QCO for technical textiles, to be effective after 6 mnths

12 Apr '23

3 min read

Joint secretary, ministry of textiles, Rajeev Saxena addressing a press conference on launch of 2 QCOs for 31 items, in New Delhi on April 11, 2023. Pic: PIB

Insights

India has issued its first-ever QCO for the technical textiles sector, aiming to establish the country as a global hub for this niche segment.
The ministry of textiles launched two QCOs covering 31 items, including 19 geo textiles and 12 protective textiles.
The initiative aims to enhance product standards and quality and protect the environment.

For the first time, India has issued two Quality Control Orders (QCO) specifically targeting the technical textiles sector. The Indian government is striving to establish the country as a global hub for this niche segment of textiles. The ministry of textiles has announced the launch of two QCOs covering a total of 31 items, including 19 geo textiles and 12 protective textiles, in in Phase-I. A formal notification will be released at a later stage.

Rajeev Saxena, joint secretary of the ministry, said in a press conference that these QCOs mark the first technical regulation from India for technical textiles. The centre is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so in the public interest to increase the standard and quality of geo textiles and protective textiles, for the protection of the environment, human health, and animal and plant life and health. Geo textiles are used for infrastructure projects and environmental applications, while protective textiles are used to protect human life from hazardous and adverse working conditions. QCOs will strive to provide the best value to users and end consumers, thereby fostering Indian product quality that is comparable to global standards.

Out of the 31 items, 19 items belong to the geo textiles category, including Laminated High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) woven geomembrane for waterproof lining, PVC geomembranes, needle-punched non-woven geo bags, polypropylene multifilament woven geo bags, jute geotextiles, open weave coir bhoo vastra geotextiles used in sub-grade separation in pavement structures, geotextiles used in subsurface drainage application, geotextiles used in sub-grade stabilisation in pavement structures, HDPE geomembranes for lining, geotextiles used as protection (or cushioning) materials, geotextiles for permanent erosion control in hard armour systems, geogrids for flexible pavements, polymeric strip/geo strip used as soil reinforcement in retaining structures, geogrids used in reinforced soil retaining structures, reinforced HDPE membrane for effluents and chemical resistance lining, and geocells, the ministry of textiles said in a press release.

The remaining 12 items are of protective textiles, including curtains and drapes, upholstered composites used for non-domestic furniture, protective clothing for firefighters, protective gloves for firefighters, protective clothing for industrial workers exposed to heat, clothing made of limited flame spread materials and material assemblies affording protection against heat and flame, high visibility warning clothes, protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, tactical 3-point sling, pouch for ammunition and grenades made of disruptive pattern nylon-66, bullet-resistant jackets, and waterproof multipurpose rain ponchos.

These two geo textiles and protective textiles QCOs will come into force immediately after 180 days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. The conformity assessment requirements specified in these QCOs are equally applicable to domestic manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers who intend to export their products to India.

The ministry of textiles is planning to issue two more QCOs for 28 items in Phase-II, including 22 items of agro textiles and 6 items of medical textiles. In Phase-III, over 30 technical textiles items may be considered for QCO issuance.

QCOs will ensure the standard and quality of technical textiles and encourage the growth of this industry in India in producing quality products at competitive pricing.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)