BIS Certification Mandatory for All Footwear Manufacturers

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has mandated that all footwear manufacturers in India obtain BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification. According to the recent notification, every pair of footwear, whether made of leather or other materials, must comply with the Indian Standard and display the Standard Mark (ISI Mark). Manufacturing or selling footwear without a BIS-certified ISI mark will now be considered illegal and subject to severe penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines.

DPIIT Quality Control Order for Leather and Other Footwear

Under the DPIIT’s Quality Control Order (QCO), the BIS certification is now compulsory for leather footwear and other footwear products to regulate imports and curb sub-standard manufacturing practices. This order extends to a range of leather footwear, including anti-riot shoes, safety boots, and more.

Key Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for Footwear

The BIS mandatory certification applies to three main categories:

• Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials, 2020

• Footwear Made from All-Rubber and All Polymeric Material and Its Components

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Footwear (Quality Control) Order, 2020

BIS Certification for Leather Footwear

The QCO for leather footwear includes various products such as:

• Safety shoes

• Boots

• Canvas shoes with rubber soles

• Derby shoes

• Anti-riot footwear

• Sports shoes

These regulations aim to enhance the quality of footwear available in India, safeguard consumers, and promote the production of superior quality products. Manufacturers and distributors must comply with the BIS standards to avoid penalties and ensure continued trade in the Indian market.

BIS Certification for Rubber and Polymeric Material Footwear

The ‘Footwear Made from All-Rubber and All Polymeric Material and Its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2020’ specifies mandatory BIS certification for various rubber and polymeric footwear products. This includes items such as: Rubber microcellular sheets, PVC sandals, All-rubber gumboots and ankle boots, Industrial and protective rubber knee and ankle boots, Rubber slippers and Hawai chappals, PVC industrial boots.

This Quality Control Order establishes stringent standards to ensure the quality and safety of footwear made from rubber, polymeric materials, and their components. The table below details the types of footwear covered, their respective standards, and the titles of the standards under the ‘Footwear Made from All-Rubber and All Polymeric Material and Its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2020’.

Process for Obtaining BIS Certification for Footwear

The process for obtaining BIS certification for footwear includes the following steps:

• Documentation Preparation: Collect all necessary documents before submitting the application.

• Application Submission: Submit the application along with the required documents to BIS.

• Application Review: BIS officials scrutinize the submitted application.

• Auditor Nomination: BIS nominates an auditor to inspect the manufacturing premises.

• Premises Audit: The BIS auditor conducts an audit of the manufacturing facility.

• Sample Collection: A sample is drawn from the premises for independent testing.

• Sample Testing: The collected sample is tested in a BIS-approved laboratory.

• License Grant:If all criteria are met, BIS grants the certification to the footwear manufacturer.

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Footwear

To obtain BIS certification, the following documents are essential:

• Factory registration documents and related information

• Identity proof of the applicant

• Manufacturing process flowchart

• Details of the authorized signatory and supporting documents

• Adequate testing facilities at the factory

• Quality control parameters and their records

• Laboratory testing report and additional information as per BIS norms

Conclusion

The BIS certification process is comprehensive and involves multiple stages, starting from product development to final validation. Footwear manufacturers and importers must obtain a BIS license to use the ISI mark on their products, as selling footwear without the ISI mark is prohibited in India.

For technical assistance and end-to-end support in obtaining BIS certification for all types of footwear, Absolute Veritas offers expert guidance. Ensure compliance with BIS standards to manufacture and sell quality footwear in the market.