DPIIT Extends Footwear Legacy Stock Clearance to July 2027, Allows 4,500 R&D Sample Imports Annually

The DPIIT has amended two QCOs covering footwear made of leather, rubber and polymeric material. The changes aim to ease compliance, protect domestic manufacturers and align with the "Zero Defect, Zero Effect" vision of the government. Key Developments Legacy stock clearance deadline extended from 31 July 2026 to 31 July 2027 , giving a full extra year for manufacturers, distributors and retailers to sell existing inventory. Import of up to 4,500 pairs of footwear samples per year permitted for R&D . Samples must be marked “NOT FOR SALE”, cannot be sold commercially and must be disposed of as scrap after use. All imported and domestically sold footwear must continue to bear BIS certification. Important Facts The footwear sector is highly seasonal; inventories often linger beyond a single selling cycle. By extending the clearance timeline, the government reduces the risk of forced disposal and limits disruption to supply chains. The sample‑import provision helps manufacturers test designs, verify documentation adequacy and assess the true quantity of samples needed for product development. Manufacturers must maintain year‑wise records of sample imports and submit them to the government on request. Non‑compliance can attract penalties under the existing QCO framework. UPSC Relevance Understanding these amendments is useful for GS III (Economy) and GS II (Polity) questions on industrial policy, quality standards and Make in India. The move reflects the government's broader agenda of promoting Make in India while ensuring product safety through Zero Defect, Zero Effect principles. Way Forward Industry should use the extra year to clear legacy stock responsibly, avoiding wasteful destruction. Firms should set up robust record‑keeping for R&D sample imports to demonstrate compliance. Policymakers may consider further easing of sample limits or introducing digital tracking to streamline monitoring. Overall, the amendments balance ease of doing business with stringent quality control, supporting India's ambition to become a global hub for high‑quality footwear manufacturing.