Textiles Ministry Announces Quality Control Orders for Medical and Agro-Textiles

• 03 Oct 2023

Recently, the Textiles Ministry has issued two Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering six medical textiles and twenty agro-textiles items. These orders are set to be effective from April 1, 2024, as per an official statement.

Key Points

• Medical Textiles: The QCOs for medical textiles encompass a range of crucial healthcare and hygiene products, including sanitary napkins, shoe covers, dental bib/napkins, disposable baby diapers, reusable sanitary pads/sanitary napkins/period panties, medical bed sheets, and pillow covers.
• SHGs Benefit: Self-help groups (SHGs) engaged in the production of items covered by the medical textiles QCOs have been exempted.
• This exemption promotes small-scale production of essential products such as sanitary napkins, baby diapers, and reusable sanitary pads/sanitary napkins/period panties, according to the release.
• Compliance Deadline for SMEs: Micro and small industries (SMEs) involved in the manufacturing of sanitary napkins, baby diapers, and reusable sanitary pads/sanitary napkins/period panties will have more time for compliance.
• The medical textiles QCO will come into effect for these SMEs on October 1, 2024, allowing them sufficient time to meet the QCO conformity requirements.
• Public Interest: The ministry stated that the conformity assessment requirements outlined in these QCOs are equally applicable to domestic and foreign manufacturers intending to export their products to India.
• The Indian Government believes that this step is necessary in the public interest to elevate the standards and quality of agro-textiles and medical textiles.
• Exemptions and Extended Deadlines: Self-help groups engaged in the production of essential medical textile items have been exempted from QCO requirements, fostering small-scale production.
• Micro and small industries manufacturing specific medical textile products will have an extended compliance deadline until October 1, 2024, to align with QCO conformity.
• Government's Perspective: The Indian Government believes that applying these QCOs to both domestic and foreign manufacturers is necessary to enhance the standards and quality of medical and agro-textiles in the interest of the public.