Centre approves Quality Control Order for mandatory certification of cotton bales; to be notified soon

Zee Businesses' exclusive on government appoval  to Quality Control Order for cotton bales stands validated. On 31 January, the channel reported that government will approve Quality Control Order (QCO) for mandatory certification of cotton bales and issue notification on it soon. On Tuesday, Union Minister of Textiles Piyush Goyal approved the Quality Control Order (QCO) for mandatory certification of cotton bales under specification No. IS12171: 2019. The announcement was made by the Minister.

The QCO has been vetted by Ministry of Law & Justice and will be notified shortly.

The Union Minister presided over the fifth interactive meeting with the Textile Advisory Group (TAG) in New Delhi to review progress of initiatives for cotton value chain. Textiles Minister pointed out that quality of Indian cotton fibre is beneficial for farmers and industry.

He stressed that branding of Indian Cotton will add great value to the entire cotton value chain from farmers, ginners to cotton users, right up to the consumers.

A MoU has been signed on 15 December 2022 between the CCI and TEXPROCIL to encourage the Trade and Industry to work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility of Traceability, Certification and Branding of “KASTURI Cotton India” with the project target period of 2022-23 to 2024-24.  Steering Committee and Apex Committee have been constituted and the work of TEXPROCIL will begin in the current cotton season.

Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) prepared a pilot project targeting technologies to agro-climatic zones-large scale demonstrations of best practices to enhance cotton productivity. 

Minister emphasized strengthening testing facility needed to conform to KASTURI standards, DNA testing and traceability. He assured that adequate modern testing facilities would be created through BIS and TRAs.