The textile industry in India has expressed concerns over the Bureau of Indian Standards' (BIS) pending certification for overseas manufacturers of viscose staple fibre (VSF).
The BIS will issue a certificate to VSF manufacturers who comply with its standards (IS17266: 2019), and the hallmark will become mandatory from April 1st. However, industry sources have pointed out that several variants of VSF are imported, which may cause a shortage in availability of the fibres.
Many overseas manufacturers who have applied for the certification are yet to receive it. Moreover, those who have placed orders for the fibre and are awaiting shipment will not be able to take delivery when the goods reach India without the hallmark, which will significantly impact textile manufacturers in India.
The industry has requested that the BIS expedite the certification process and implement the Quality Control Order only after all issues are sorted out. Furthermore, the BIS certificate will become mandatory for a few polyester items from April 3rd, but many manufacturers have not yet obtained the certificate.
The delay in certification may result in a shortage of fibres and increased costs for manufacturers. The textile industry is already struggling with the impact of the pandemic, and this delay may further hamper its recovery. The BIS needs to take prompt action to address these concerns and ensure that the certification process is completed as soon as possible.
