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Sat, Jun 20 2026
Utkarsh Sharma
The Government of India has announced an important amendment to the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Through the Footwear Quality Control Amendment Order, 2026, published on 12 June 2026, the government has provided additional relief to footwear manufacturers and introduced a special exemption for research and development activities.
The latest amendment brings two significant changes. First, the existing exemption period has been extended by one year. Second, manufacturers can now import a limited quantity of footwear for research and development purposes without being covered under the Quality Control Order, subject to certain conditions.
This update is expected to support innovation, product development, and compliance readiness across India's footwear sector.
The Footwear Quality Control Order was introduced to improve the quality of footwear products available in the Indian market. Under this order, specific footwear products made from leather and other materials must comply with prescribed Indian Standards.
The objective of the QCO is to:
Manufacturers and importers covered under the order are required to comply with the relevant standards before selling their products in India.
Implementing quality standards across a large industry takes time. Many manufacturers require additional time to complete product testing, certification procedures, process upgrades, and compliance-related documentation.
At the same time, footwear companies regularly import samples and prototype products from different countries for research, testing, and product development. These products are not intended for commercial sale but are used for innovation and technical evaluation.
Recognizing these industry requirements, the government has introduced the 2026 amendment to provide greater flexibility while maintaining quality objectives.
One of the most important changes in the amendment is the extension of the exemption deadline.
Earlier, the relevant provision under the Quality Control Order was applicable until 31 July 2026. The government has now replaced this date with 31 July 2027.
This effectively provides an additional year of relief to eligible businesses.
The extension gives manufacturers and importers more time to:
For many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, this additional time can help reduce compliance pressure and allow smoother implementation.
The second major update is the introduction of a dedicated exemption for research and development activities.
Under the amendment, manufacturers of leather and footwear products can import up to 4,500 pairs of footwear in a year for research and development purposes and other non-commercial uses.
This provision is designed to encourage innovation and technological advancement within the footwear industry.
Research and development play a critical role in improving footwear quality and performance. Companies often need to import:
Product samples
Prototype designs
New material combinations
International footwear models
Testing samples
Benchmark products
Without an exemption, such imports could face compliance challenges even though they are not intended for sale.
The new provision addresses this concern and allows manufacturers to carry out product development activities more efficiently.
Although the exemption provides flexibility, manufacturers must comply with certain conditions.
Commercial Sale Is Not Allowed
The imported footwear cannot be sold in the market.
The exemption is strictly limited to research, development, testing, evaluation, and other non-commercial purposes.
Products Must Be Marked “NOT FOR SALE”
Every imported product covered under this exemption must clearly display the words:
"NOT FOR SALE"
This requirement helps ensure that exempted products do not enter commercial distribution channels.
Disposal Must Be Done as Scrap
Once the research or testing activity is completed, the products may be disposed of as scrap.
The products cannot be sold or commercially utilized after the testing process.
Record Keeping Is Mandatory
Manufacturers must maintain year-wise records of imported footwear under this exemption.
The records should contain details of imports and their utilization.
If requested by the government, these records must be produced for verification.
The amendment offers several advantages to manufacturers.
Companies can study global footwear trends, evaluate new technologies, and experiment with advanced materials.
Manufacturers can import samples for testing before introducing new products into the Indian market.
Research-based product development often leads to better product quality and improved customer satisfaction.
Since the imported products are not intended for sale, the exemption removes unnecessary compliance hurdles for research purposes.
The amendment is also beneficial for international brands and import-dependent manufacturers.
Global companies can bring sample products into India for:
This creates a more innovation-friendly environment while maintaining safeguards against commercial misuse.
Companies operating in the footwear sector should review the amendment carefully and assess how it affects their operations.
Businesses should:
Understand whether their products fall under the Footwear QCO.
Take advantage of the extended timeline to strengthen compliance readiness.
Maintain proper records for all R&D imports.
Ensure imported products are marked "NOT FOR SALE."
Avoid any commercial sale of exempted products.
Develop internal procedures for tracking imported samples.
Proper compliance management can help businesses avoid future regulatory issues.
The Footwear Quality Control Amendment Order, 2026 is a positive development for India's footwear industry. By extending the exemption period until 31 July 2027 and allowing imports of up to 4,500 pairs of footwear annually for research and development purposes, the government has provided much-needed flexibility to manufacturers.
The amendment supports innovation, encourages product development, and gives businesses additional time to prepare for compliance requirements. Footwear manufacturers and importers should use this opportunity to strengthen their quality systems while ensuring that all conditions of the exemption are followed properly.
As the industry continues to evolve, such regulatory measures can help balance quality assurance with innovation and business growth.
The Footwear QCO Amendment 2026 is a government notification issued to amend the Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The amendment extends the compliance relief period until 31 July 2027 and introduces a new exemption that allows manufacturers to import up to 4,500 pairs of footwear annually for research and development (R&D) and non-commercial purposes.
Under the latest amendment, the earlier deadline of 31 July 2026 has been extended to 31 July 2027. This extension provides footwear manufacturers and importers with additional time to prepare for compliance with the applicable quality control requirements and BIS standards.
Yes. The amendment allows manufacturers of leather and footwear products to import up to 4,500 pairs of footwear per year for research, development, testing, and other non-commercial purposes. This exemption is intended to encourage innovation and product development within the footwear industry.
No. Footwear imported under the R&D exemption cannot be sold commercially. These products must be clearly marked with the words "NOT FOR SALE" and may only be used for research, testing, evaluation, or development activities. After use, they must be disposed of as scrap.
The amendment benefits footwear manufacturers, importers, product development teams, research organizations, and global brands. The extended timeline helps businesses prepare for compliance, while the R&D import exemption provides greater flexibility for testing new designs, materials, and technologies before commercial production.
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