India has announced the mandatory implementation of the BIS mark on various types of machinery and equipment, including textile weaving and embroidery machinery. In a notification issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries on August 28, it was stated that quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will come into effect one year from the date of the notification, specifically from August 28, 2025. However, the Indian fabric industry has raised concerns, as it relies on imports for 90 per cent of its weaving machines. The government's order may hinder the industry's growth plans in the coming years.

According to the notification, the government has included various types of machines and equipment used for different purposes. Specifically, in the context of the textile industry, all types of weaving machines (looms) and their assemblies, sub-assemblies, or components covered under HSN codes 8446, 844811, 844819, 844842, and 844849 will fall under the scope of the notification. It also includes all types of machinery for making embroidery and their assemblies, sub-assemblies, or components under HSN codes 84479020 and 844859.

The notification states that each machine or electrical equipment must conform to the corresponding Indian Standards. Furthermore, every machine or piece of equipment must meet the labelling and marking requirements, as well as comply with safety instructions or symbols. Machines and equipment listed under the mentioned HSN codes will be subject to all provisions and conditions of BIS for the implementation of its standards.

However, the Indian textile industry has expressed concerns regarding the implementation of BIS standards on weaving machines. The industry has ambitious plans to install hundreds of thousands of high-speed machines (such as Waterjet, Airjet, Rapier, and Rapier Jacquard) in the coming years. Most of these machines are imported from other countries, and the government's order may disrupt the industry's expansion plans, which aim to achieve an export target of $100 billion and a total turnover of $250 billion by 2030.

Ashish Gujarati, president of the Pandesara Weaving Cooperative Society, told Fibre2Fashion, “The government had earlier brought yarn under a quality mandate. Now, textile machinery is included under the purview of BIS standards. This will make it difficult to import these machines, but the country is dependent on 90 per cent of high-speed weaving machine imports.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

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