Won't extend footwear quality order: Piyush Goyal
NEW DELHI: Commerce & industry and consumer affairs minister
Piyush Goyal
on Wednesday indicated that the government will not extend deadline for the
footwear industry
to comply with the new quality standards, maintaining that two extensions had already been granted and consumers should not be forced to buy
sub-standard products
.
Amid intense lobbying by footwear industry and retailers for a one-year extension in the compliance date beyond July 1, Goyal told reporters that quality control orders (QCOs) are issued after intense consultation with industry and adequate time is given to implement them. "In the leather and
footwear sector
, we issued three QCOs on October 27, 2020, two-and-half years back. So, the whole industry is very well aware... in two and a half years, if one has not yet become compliant, then there is a vested interest, which we cannot fulfil," he said.
Asked about the demand, Goyal said, "After giving two extensions now, where is the question of still not being able to comply? There are some vested interests. I saw it in toys also. People tried to create a fear that there will be a shortage of toys for children. Finally, we put our foot down. After implementation of the order, there is no shortage of toys... It's better to face a little problem than losing lives," he said, adding there is 85-90% compliance.
The minister said the government is committed to improving the quality of products sold in the country and the same standards apply to domestically produced and imported goods, with some carve-outs for small players.
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Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 1:50 am