Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF)

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF)

Sub: Eco

Sec: External Sector

Industry players report that the market prices of PSF and VSF increased in FY24 following the implementation of QCOs on these inputs early on in the financial year.

Downstream synthetic textile manufacturers are urging the government to revoke Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF), which have undermined the competitiveness of the MMF supply chain by limiting access to affordable and specialised raw materials.

What is Quality Control Order?

• A QCOs areregulatory measures introduced by the government to establish quality standards for specific products or product categories. These orders are designed to ensure that products meet certain prescribed quality, safety, and performance requirements before they can be manufactured, imported, stored, or sold in the country.
• A QCO mandates foreign exporters to obtain Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to sell products covered under it in India. It is aimed towards curbing the import of poor quality products into the country.
• BIS is responsible for certifying products that meet the prescribed standards, both for domestic and international manufacturers.
• With the QCOs, manufacturing, storing and sale of non-BIS certified products are prohibited as per the BIS Act, 2016.”
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.

About Viscose Fibre:

• Viscose is a type of rayon. Originally known as artificial silk, in the late 19th century, the term “rayon” came into effect in 1924.
• The name “viscose” is derived from the way this fibre is manufactured; a viscous organic liquid used to make both rayon and cellophane.
• It is a biodegradable fibre and an alternative to silk and cotton.
• It is versatile, Highly absorbent and Inexpensive fibre.
• Viscose is made from tree wood pulp, like beech, pine, and eucalyptus, but can also be made from bamboo.
• As a manufactured regenerated cellulose fibre, it is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) – it falls somewhere in between.
• Chemically, viscose resembles cotton, but it can also take on many different qualities depending on how it is manufactured.