New QCO regulations for textile hygiene standards start October 1

From October 1, manufacturers such as Himalaya, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Nine will be required to adhere to the standards established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Prices of baby diapers and sanitary napkins are expected to rise after the textiles ministry decided not to extend the deadline for complying with the Quality Control Order (QCO) for these products.

From October 1, manufacturers such as Himalaya, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Nine will be required to adhere to the standards established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Companies that fail to comply with these standards may face enforcement actions.

The textiles ministry remains steadfast in its decision on the QCO for these products after discovering that manufacturers were producing only a limited quantity of diapers and sanitary napkins that met the standards.

Because the QCOs were previously voluntary, some prominent companies in the personal hygiene sector were not fully complying with the standards. These companies had launched several products with different characteristics to circumvent the regulations.

The new standards mandate that products must include measures to prevent the growth of antimicrobial agents, reduce the risk of rashes, and be skin-friendly.

While prices are anticipated to increase by 5-10 per cent, the QCO will not apply to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) producing ready-to-use disposable hygiene products to ensure continued supply in rural areas.

According to a report from the consulting firm IMARC Group, the Indian market for diapers and sanitary pads is valued at $1.6 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively, and is expanding rapidly with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.25 per cent and 17 per cent.