THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Have you ever wondered if the shoes you wear daily are regulated for quality and safety? With new standards rolling out across the industry, India is now setting a benchmark through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for its footwear sector, which went into effect on July 1, 2023. All footwear under this regulation will need to have the ISI mark on the footwear. This regulation isn’t just a formality – it brings real changes to what’s available on the shelves and the quality of footwear brands that Indians can trust. Covering essential categories like leather, rubber, children’s footwear, and athletic shoes (even those high-profile foreign brands), the BIS mandate aims to improve footwear quality across the board. Or will it?

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The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set a new standard for the Indian footwear industry, which mandates compliance with specific safety and quality benchmarks. Effective from July 1, 2023, and ?????????????????????? ???? ???? ?? ???????????? ????????, this regulation covers a wide range of footwear categories, aiming to enhance product safety and quality across the industry. Categories included under this BIS mandate are leather footwear (covering safety, sports, and daily-use shoes), rubber and polymeric footwear, children's shoes, and athletic shoes, which includes foreign branded footwear.

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For ??????????????????????????, ??????????????????, ?????? ??????????????????, the BIS regulation is more than a procedural requirement—it sets a rigorous alignment with local quality standards, especially for ?????????????? ???????????? now needing BIS certification to operate in India. This mandate not only ensures compliance with local safety and quality benchmarks but also pushes for domestic sourcing and production, potentially increasing costs while boosting ?????????? ???????? and ???????????? ??????????????????????.

The consequences of non-compliance are clear and impactful. For example, after failing to meet these standards, ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????? when India refused a standard certificate to the manufacturer, showing the tangible risks businesses face when not adhering to BIS standards. For brands, this regulation is a critical opportunity to align with both ???????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????, prioritizing quality and consumer safety to build stronger market trust and safeguard their competitive position in a tightly regulated landscape.

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The BIS regulation serves as a consumer safeguard, ensuring that footwear, whether manufactured domestically or imported, ?????????????? ???? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????. Consumers stand to benefit from durable, safe, and reliable footwear options with a reduced risk of defective products. While prices may increase slightly due to the costs of compliance, consumers can expect improved product longevity and safety, especially in children’s and athletic footwear. For international brands, BIS compliance assures consumers that foreign products will meet or exceed Indian standards.

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Looking ahead, India’s commitment to BIS regulation in footwear could lead to enhanced export potential as Indian-made products gain a reputation for quality and safety. Domestic brands may become more competitive internationally, potentially increasing market share as quality becomes the norm. Additionally, foreign brands will need to maintain rigorous quality standards to stay in the Indian market. This shift can pave the way for sustainable innovation in the industry, as companies look to balance quality, cost-efficiency, and eco-friendliness in their production. Overall, the BIS regulation positions ??????????’?? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????????? ??????????????.

Mridul Das

Founder | Sportskin International Private Limited | Email: [email protected]