Associations seek relief from Lab processes for small and micro units

QCO on plywood, Block Board, Doors, MDF & PB has been implemented on 12 Feb & 28 Feb.

Small & micro are given relief for 3 and 6 mths.

However, small & micro industries are still hesitant/reluctant to apply for BIS. Industry is fearing more about the Lab processes involved rather than the quality to be produced.

Footwear Ind. has been given relaxation to small & micro from maintaining various Lab processes. Where scheme of inspection and testing made optional for micro and small scale manufacturers of consumer footwear and footwear components.

The notification of BIS vide ref no. CMD-2/G-94 dated 14-09-2023 says that:

1. This is to inform that product manuals of the following consumer footwear and footwear components products have been revised in order to make compliance to the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) OPTIONAL for Micro, and Small Scale Units with respect to the following requirements of the SIT

Clause 1(Laboratory): i.e. requirement of maintaining a suitably equipped and staffed lab is not compulsory

Clause 2 (Test records): i.e. requirement of maintaining test records is not compulsory

Clause 4 (Control Unit) and Clause 5 (Levels of Control) i.e. Conducting tests as indicated under levels of control is not compulsory

3. However, ALL units shall ensure compliance of their products to the requirements of the Indian Standard and the requirements of SIT with respect to Clause 3 (Packing and Marking) and Clause 6 (Rejection) shall be followed by all.

In light of the above relaxation to footwear Industry, FIPPI along with AIPLI, HPMA, AIPMA and other organization has sought such relaxation in plywood industry. The industry associations has addressed their concern to:

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution 

Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, along with  

Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) 

Excerpts from the letter:

Respected Ministers and Director General,

We seek Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT) relaxation for Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) manufacturing IS 303:2024 General Purpose MR Grade Plywood, similar to the exemption granted to the footwear industry (CMD-2/G-94, dated 14.09.2023).

Justification:

• 99.5% of plywood manufacturers are MSEs, comprising 4,000+ small units that lack advanced in-house testing facilities.
• General Purpose MR Grade Plywood is an essential low-cost material widely used in furniture, housing, and construction, catering to the common man.
• Plywood manufacturing is agro forestry-based, ensuring income for lakhs of small & marginal farmers through timber sales.
• High SIT compliance costs impact MSE viability, limiting their ability to compete and sustain business.
• BIS has granted SIT relaxations to the footwear sector, recognizing similar challenges—plywood MSEs deserve equal consideration.

Requested SIT Relaxations for IS 303:2024 (General Purpose MR Grade Plywood): 

• In-House Laboratory Requirement (Clause 1): Allow testing via external BIS-approved labs.
• Test Record Maintenance (Clause 2): Reduce excessive documentation requirements.
• Testing Frequency & Control Levels (Clauses 4 & 5): Adjust to practical levels for MSEs.

Benefits: 

• MSME Support: Reduces compliance burden, enabling 4,000+ small manufacturers to sustain operations.
• Affordability for Consumers: Keeps plywood costs low, benefiting furniture and housing sectors.
• Farmer Welfare: Continues agro forestry-linked income for small & marginal farmers.

We urge BIS to extend SIT relaxations to plywood MSEs for General Purpose MR Grade Plywood (IS 303:2024) and request urgent consideration of this representation.

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