The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is taking significant steps to simplify India’s quality certification framework following recommendations made by the Gauba Committee. The reforms are aimed at reducing compliance burdens, improving ease of doing business and supporting domestic manufacturing without compromising product quality.
One of the key changes is the extension of BIS licence validity to five years, coupled with automatic online renewals. Manufacturers will continue paying annual fees instead of making large upfront payments, providing greater financial flexibility, particularly for MSMEs. The committee has also recommended a more balanced approach to Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Rather than applying mandatory regulations across a wide range of products, it has suggested limiting stringent certification requirements to categories involving health, safety and security. This is expected to reduce delays, lower certification costs and ease supply chain challenges, especially for manufacturers dependent on raw materials and intermediate goods.
For the footwear industry, these reforms could prove particularly beneficial. Simplified certification procedures and a more practical regulatory framework are likely to improve production efficiency, reduce compliance costs and strengthen the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers in both domestic and export markets. BIS has clarified that while it develops standards and administers certification, the decision to make a standard mandatory rests with the respective ministries through the issuance of QCOs. Currently, only 624 of the more than 24,000 Indian Standards have been made mandatory.
The standards body also highlighted the positive impact of QCOs in sectors such as toys and footwear, where stronger quality regulations have supported domestic manufacturing, reduced dependence on imports and enhanced export competitiveness. As India works towards its Vision 2047 goals, a more streamlined and industry-friendly quality ecosystem is expected to play a key role in boosting the country’s manufacturing capabilities while maintaining global quality standards.
