Exemption of Readymade Garment from the packaged Commodities Act

The clothing industry can now do away with the archaic laws like labelling of garments and easing the Legal Metrology Act for clothing industry. As government decides exemption of Readymade Grment from the packaged Commodities Act.

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), the apex body for the Indian apparel industry, thanked the Textile Minister, Smriti Irani for encouraging the exemption of Readymade Garment from the packaged Commodities Act.

According to some experts, since garments are sold in an open condition and the customer has the option to touch, feel, and try it on, application of the Packaged Commodities Act on garments not only lacks logic, but also exposes retailers and brands to harassment at the local level.

Textiles minister Smriti Irani had flagged the issue to consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan, whose ministry decided to significantly ease the Legal Metrology (Packaged & Commodities) Rules for a majority of the garment sector.

As nearly 95% of the industry will be unburdened as the rules will apply to packs of two-three shirts, undergarments or handkerchiefs, said a source. The government is keen to ensure that the key textiles sector, seen as a massive generator of jobs, does not remain in the vice-like grip of this ‘Inspector Raj’. The urgency to scrap regulations is also seen as a step to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

Kishore Biyani, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer India’s leading Retail Company, Future Group, also thanked Smriti Irani for aiding ease of business by removing archaic laws for labelling of garments, this will also help make in India a success.