Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023

Ministry of Textiles in a landmark initiative to strengthen public health and safety, has notified Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Quality Control Order (QCO) is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

Context: The Union Ministry of Textiles has notified the Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, aimed at enhancing public health and safety. The order will take effect on October 1, 2024.

Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023

Objectives:
- Establish stringent quality standards for critical medical textile products.
- Ensure mandatory certifications to guarantee that products meet essential quality benchmarks.
Products Covered:
- The order applies to various medical textile products, including: Sanitary napkins, Baby diapers, Reusable sanitary pads, Dental bibs etc.
Compliance and Penalties:
- Compliance with the QCO is legally
- Non-compliance may result in fines and other penalties.
Exemptions for Small Enterprises:
- Small-scale enterprises, particularly self-help groups (SHGs), are exempted from the requirements of this QCO to alleviate challenges they face.
Implementation Strategy:
- Following the enforcement date, all products under this QCO will require a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) licence for various activities including manufacturing, importing and selling.
- This measure aims to ensure that widely used products adhere to high safety standards to protect both children and adults.