India's loom QCO faces industry pushback ahead of deadline
India is set to implement the Quality Control Order (QCO) for weaving machines (looms), their assemblies, sub-assemblies, components, and all types of embroidery machinery from August 28, 2025, following the expiry of a one-year gestation period. Just three months ahead of implementation, the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has demanded the removal of the QCO.
It is worth noting that a notification was issued on August 28, 2024, regarding the implementation of the QCO on textile and embroidery machines and their components. The government had provided a one-year period for the industry to make the necessary preparations.
India plans to enforce QCO on weaving and embroidery machines from August 28, 2025. The SGCCI has urged the government to withdraw the QCO, citing heavy reliance on imported machinery and potential financial losses. SGCCI argues that the regulation could hinder the textile sector's growth and technological advancement, particularly as India targets a $350 billion market by 2030.
Recently, SGCCI vice president Ashok Jirawala and former president Ashish Gujarati presented the matter in a meeting with India's Minister for Heavy Industries, H D Kumaraswamy, and joint secretary Vijay Mittal in New Delhi. They pleaded for the removal of the QCO. The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and attended by various industry organisations.
SGCCI has formally urged the central government to remove the QCO from textile machinery, citing concerns about its potential impact on the sector's growth and technological progress.
SGCCI representatives argued that India's current textile market is valued at $165 billion and is projected to reach $350 billion by 2030. To achieve this target, the industry will need approximately 4.5 lakh high-speed weaving machines, requiring an estimated investment of $15 billion. As several of these machines are not manufactured in India, imports are essential.
SGCCI also noted that embroidery technology evolves rapidly, with machinery often needing upgrades every two to three years. Since many advanced machines are not produced domestically, Indian entrepreneurs rely heavily on imports. They, therefore, emphasised the need to exclude embroidery machinery from QCO regulations.
Gujarati told Fibre2Fashion , 'Such textile machinery imports are essential as several types of machines are not manufactured locally. We are heavily dependent on imported machines. A large number of textile units have opened Letters of Credit (LCs) and booked machines from abroad. If the QCO is not removed and comes into effect on August 28, 2025, the imported machinery will be held at ports, resulting in significant financial losses. Furthermore, banks may hesitate to finance such ventures, potentially slowing industrial growth.'
Gujarati further informed that following the presentation, Kumaraswamy and the joint secretary of the ministry responded positively and assured that the concerns of the user industry would be considered.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
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