The Indian government aims to introduce Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 11 key textile products used in construction to enhance worker safety. These QCOs will set quality and performance standards for protective clothing, scaffolding nets, ropes, and tarpaulins used in the construction industry. The implementation of these QCOs will mandate compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications. Non-compliance will result in significant penalties.
The initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to reduce the import of substandard products from China and boost India’s position in global manufacturing and supply chains through a focus on quality control. By ensuring that construction workers have access to high-quality textiles, the QCOs aim to reduce the risk of injuries and accidents at construction sites.
The technical textiles used in construction, such as ropes, nets, and tarpaulins, require specific technical specifications to ensure their effectiveness and safety in their intended applications. The QCOs will address these requirements, ensuring that products meet load-bearing capacity and other critical performance criteria.
While the government’s QCOs are a positive step towards improving safety in the construction sector, advocates for construction workers’ rights emphasize the need to restore the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Act, 1996. They argue that this Act provided comprehensive safety and security provisions for construction workers and should be reinstated to complement the QCOs’ effectiveness.
India stands as the world’s third-largest exporter of textiles and apparel, ranking among the top five global exporters in several textile categories. The country aims to reach textile exports of $65 billion by FY26. The implementation of QCOs for build tech textiles will further strengthen India’s position in the global textile industry by promoting quality and safety standards throughout the manufacturing and supply chain.
