Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026. The amendment introduces important relaxations under the existing quality control framework by extending an exemption period and creating a special exemption for imports undertaken for research and development purposes. The Order came into force on 12 June 2026, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has released the Footwear made from Leather & other Materials (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026. This order requires that all relevant footwear products conform to identified quality, safety, & Indian Standards requirements. This amendment has been made under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, dated 12 June 2026, which extends the compliance time frame from 31 July 2026 to 31 July 2027, and provides a special exemption period for footwear products imported for research and development purposes.

Footwear manufacturers will now be responsible for ensuring that their footwear products comply with the current applicable BIS Standard before any manufacture, importation or sale in India.

What Does the 2026 Amendment Change?

The Footwear Quality Control Amendment Order 2026 made changes to the original footwear QCO 2024 to provide businesses with additional time to comply and to support innovation in the footwear sector by allowing manufacturers to import limited quantities of footwear for research and development. The government has taken this initiative to improve product quality and consumer safety.

Products Covered Under the Footwear QCO

The following footwear products are covered under the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials QCO 2026 

Extension of Exemption till 31 July 2027

The amendment changes the original deadline in the third proviso of the principal order by providing manufacturers with one year to meet the compliance requirements. The earlier exemption for leather and footwear products has been shifted from 31 July 2026 to 31st July 2027.
The exemption provides:

• Additional time to prepare for compliance requirements 
• Flexibility to the business is covered under the existing exemption.
• Relief from compliance obligations until the revised date.

Updated Import Exemption for Research and Development Purposes

This recent amendment allows eligible manufacturers of leather and footwear products to import limited quantities, up to 4,500 pairs per year, for research, testing, product development, and other non-commercial activities.

Conditions for Importing Footwear under the New Exemption

The Footwear Quality Control Order India imposes certain conditions that manufacturers must meet to avail the exemption:

• They are not allowed to be sold commercially
• Marked and embossed with the words “NOT FOR SALE”
• Disposed of as scrap
• Manufacturers must maintain a year-wise record and furnish it to the government as and when required

Impact of the Amendment on the Footwear Manufacturers and Importers

The exemption has a major impact on manufacturers and importers operating in the footwear sector:

Manufacturers:

• The exemption allows footwear manufacturers more time to comply with BIS Certification requirements.
• Easier access to imported samples for product development and innovation.
• Better opportunities for testing international designs and technologies.

For Importers:

• The exemption is only for manufacturers and R&D purposes.
• Commercial sale of these imported products is not allowed.

Conclusion

The Footwear QCO Amendment Order 2026 introduces two major relaxations for manufacturers dealing in footwear. This extension of the existing framework to 31 July 2027 allows manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs per year for R&D purposes. The government introduces the exemption to balance quality and regulate industry needs by providing additional time to support innovation in the footwear sector.