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Indian glove manufacturers are calling for the prompt implementation of the Medical and Surgical Gloves (Quality Control) Order (QCO), which has now been in the public domain for 60 days following its submission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement.
The QCO, introduced by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, mandates Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for all medical and surgical gloves—both imported and domestically manufactured.
While the industry welcomes and appreciates the government's decisive step toward protecting public health and supporting the domestic glove manufacturing sector, stakeholders are increasingly concerned over delays in enforcement.
Manmohan Gulati, Secretary of the Indian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (IRGMA) said, “The 60-day WTO consultation period, which allows member countries and stakeholders to provide feedback, has now concluded. However, in the absence of formal notification, incidents of regulatory violations and illegal dumping of substandard gloves have continued to rise.”
Anindith Reddy, Managing Director of Enliva – Wadi Surgicals, stated that,“The formal implementation of the QCO will be a breakthrough for domestic manufacturers which have been struggling to compete against the influx of low quality, non-compliant gloves. With the notification of QCO, manufacturing, storing and sale of non-BIS certified gloves will be prohibited. The timely implementation of the QCO is critical not only to curb the influx of low-quality imports but also to strengthen India's Make in India initiative by ensuring fair competition and promoting high-quality domestic production.”
Industry estimates that the new QCO will directly impact the average annual import of Rs 450–500 crore worth of such illegal products, thereby ensuring only safe, certified gloves enter the Indian market.
