Does the BIS QCO Apply to Footwear Adhesives in India? A Small-Unit Compliance Guide

If you run a small unit that manufactures or uses footwear adhesives in India, you have likely come across the BIS Quality Control Order and wondered how it applies to your business. Because the footwear QCOs have been amended, older compliance information can be misleading. This guide explains what the current BIS framework says, how to check whether your specific adhesive product falls under a QCO, and what documents small units should keep ready.

Important: This article explains how to assess BIS/QCO applicability. It does not determine whether a particular adhesive requires certification without reviewing the product's formulation, classification and the current applicable notification.

At a Glance: Quick Answers

Quick Answer: Does the BIS QCO Cover Footwear Adhesives?

Not automatically. The footwear QCOs issued by the Government of India cover specified footwear products and components — things like rubber boots, moulded soles, PVC footwear, and polyurethane soles. The current BIS footwear-QCO listings do not identify “footwear adhesive” as a generic standalone product category.

That does not mean adhesives are unregulated. It means the regulatory route is different. An adhesive may also need to be assessed against other applicable QCOs if its finished-product classification or composition falls within the scope of a separate order. Some are covered by voluntary Indian Standards. And some may not require BIS certification at all, depending on their exact composition and intended use.

What the Footwear QCO Actually Covers

The Government of India has issued multiple Quality Control Orders for the footwear sector. The relevant footwear QCOs are notified by DPIIT, while BIS administers the applicable conformity-assessment and certification requirements.

The main footwear QCOs relevant to this discussion include:

• Footwear made from All Rubber and all Polymeric Material and its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024 — covers moulded rubber outsoles, rubber boots, and polymeric footwear components.
• Footwear made from Leather and other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 — covers leather footwear and related products. The order expressly states that it does not apply to goods or articles meant for export.
• Personal Protective Equipment — Footwear (Quality Control) Order, 2020 — covers safety and protective footwear.

These orders list specific Indian Standards for each covered product. For example, IS 5557 covers industrial and protective rubber knee and ankle boots, and IS 5676 covers moulded solid rubber soles and heels.

What these lists do not include is a generic entry for “footwear adhesive.” The coverage is product-specific, not category-wide.

Where Footwear Adhesives Fit in the Regulatory Picture

Adhesives used in footwear manufacturing can be classified in several ways, and each classification leads to a different regulatory outcome.

Polyurethane adhesives: A PU adhesive should not be treated as automatically subject to BIS certification simply because it contains polyurethane. The former Polyurethanes (Quality Control) Order, 2021, which was linked to IS 17397 (Part 1), was rescinded in November 2025. BIS still provides a product manual for IS 17397 (Part 1): 2022, which covers thermoplastic polyurethanes for moulding and extrusion, not formulated footwear adhesives specifically. Manufacturers should therefore distinguish between a thermoplastic polyurethane material covered by that standard and a formulated PU adhesive, and then check the current QCOs and notifications applicable to the finished product.

Synthetic resin adhesives: BIS currently lists IS 848:2025, “Synthetic Resin Adhesives for Plywood (Phenolic, Aminoplastic and Bio-Materials Based) — Specification (Third Revision),” and its standards database identifies the certification as voluntary. This standard is specifically for plywood-related applications, so it should not be presented as a generic footwear-adhesive standard. Manufacturers should check the current QCO list separately to determine whether mandatory certification applies to their particular product.

Solvent-based adhesives: There is no generic standalone QCO for solvent-based footwear adhesives identified in the footwear QCO framework. A solvent-based formulation should be checked against any QCO that expressly covers the finished product or relevant substance; the presence of a solvent alone does not establish QCO applicability. The BIS “Know Your Standard” facility allows you to search by product keyword and check whether a relevant standard or QCO exists.

Rubber-based footwear adhesives: BIS has published standards relating to rubber-based footwear adhesives. IS 4663:1968 covers permanent rubber-based adhesives for the footwear industry. However, BIS records show IS 4663 was reviewed in 2024 and the decision taken was to reaffirm and archive. Manufacturers should verify the current status of this standard in the BIS standards database before treating it as the applicable specification. IS 9827:2023 (First Revision) covers shoe adhesive with a natural rubber latex base.

These standards should not be treated as mandatory solely because they are Indian Standards. Mandatory certification depends on whether the applicable product or standard is brought under a current QCO.

How to Check If Your Adhesive Product Is Covered

Follow these five steps to determine whether your footwear adhesive product requires BIS certification.

Step 1: Identify the Exact Product

Write down the full product description. Be specific. “PU adhesive” is not enough. You need to know:

• The chemical base (polyurethane, synthetic resin, rubber, solvent-based)
• The intended application (sole bonding, upper bonding, general assembly)
• The form (liquid, paste, film, hot melt)
• Whether it is sold as a standalone product or used captively in manufacturing

Step 2: Check the BIS “Know Your Standard” Database

Visit the BIS Know Your Standard portal. Search using multiple keywords related to your product. For a footwear adhesive, try terms like “adhesive,” “footwear adhesive,” “polyurethane adhesive,” “rubber adhesive,” and “synthetic resin adhesive.”

The database will show you relevant Indian Standards, whether they are voluntary or mandatory, and any linked QCO notifications.

Step 3: Check the Current QCO List

The BIS website maintains a consolidated list of all products under compulsory certification. Look for any QCO that mentions your product category or a closely related term. Pay attention to the exact scope wording — a QCO for “polyurethanes” may or may not include adhesive formulations, depending on how the order defines the product.

Step 4: Check Amendments and Transition Orders

QCOs are frequently amended. The government issued a Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 on June 25, 2026. This order creates an alternative compliance route under Scheme II for specified goods covered by the QCOs listed in its Schedule, subject to the conditions of the Order and applicable BIS requirements. The footwear QCOs are included in the listed framework.

Under this facilitated route, eligible manufacturers may supply goods covered by the specified QCOs to companies permitted under the Transition Facilitation framework, subject to the conditions of the Order. The Order provides for the covered goods to be supplied under the Scheme II route, subject to the permissions and conditions specified in the Order. Scheme II operates through the applicable registration and self-declaration framework. This route is available only where the product, company and transaction satisfy the specified eligibility conditions. It should be treated as a product- and eligibility-specific route, not a general replacement for Scheme I.

Step 5: Contact Your BIS Regional Office

If the written rules remain unclear, seek written clarification from the relevant BIS Regional or Branch Office and retain the response with your compliance records.

Documentation Checklist for Small Units

Whether your adhesive product is directly covered by a QCO or not, maintaining good documentation is essential for compliance readiness, customer confidence, and future regulatory changes. This is a practical readiness checklist, not a universal list of mandatory documents. Exact documentation depends on the applicable QCO, Indian Standard, product manual and certification scheme.

For PU footwear adhesives in India, your technical file should also document the specific polyurethane grade or formulation used and how it relates to the applicable standard. For solvent-based adhesive products, maintain the relevant safety documentation, formulation/product specifications and any environmental or chemical-compliance records applicable to the formulation and your operations.

Micro and Small Enterprise Provisions

The 2026 footwear amendments provide specific transition-related relief affecting eligible micro and small enterprises in the relevant non-leather footwear categories. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed that the timeline for clearance of legacy stock has been extended from July 31, 2026 to July 31, 2027. The government stated that the additional one-year period would give manufacturers, distributors and retailers more time for the orderly clearance of existing stock.

Manufacturers should check the exact product category and applicable notification rather than treating July 31, 2027 as a universal deadline for every footwear business or every adhesive product.

Additionally, BIS product manuals for certain consumer footwear and footwear components have been revised to make compliance with the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) optional for micro and small scale units. For eligible micro and small units, certain footwear product manuals provide optional SIT provisions. Depending on the applicable product manual, this can reduce specific in-house testing requirements. It should not be interpreted as a blanket exemption from all testing or quality-control obligations.

Common Mistakes Small Units Make

Assuming every footwear adhesive is covered by the footwear QCO. The footwear QCOs cover footwear products and components, not adhesives as a generic category. Check the exact scope.

Using an outdated regulatory position. IS 17397 (Part 1): 2022 is a current BIS product standard for thermoplastic polyurethanes, but the former Polyurethanes (Quality Control) Order, 2021 was rescinded in November 2025. Do not assume that an existing BIS product manual means the associated QCO is currently mandatory. Always check the latest QCO and notification status.

Confusing polyurethane raw material with PU adhesive. A QCO for “polyurethanes” may target thermoplastic polyurethane pellets for moulding, not formulated adhesives. Read the product definition carefully.

Relying on old deadline information. Footwear QCO deadlines have been extended multiple times. The current transition/stock-clearance period for eligible non-leather footwear MSMEs extends to July 31, 2027. Check for the latest notification before making compliance decisions.

Treating MSME relaxations as unlimited. The SIT exemption for small units applies to specific product manuals and specific clauses. Do not assume it covers all documentation requirements.

Not checking the archived status of older standards. Some standards, like IS 4663:1968, have been reaffirmed and archived. Always check the current BIS record before citing a standard as your compliance reference.

Building a Practical Compliance Routine

BIS requirements can change when a QCO is amended or an Indian Standard is revised. For that reason, manufacturers should periodically review their product classification and compliance records.

Recommended quarterly check: Review the BIS website for new QCO notifications, amendments, and transition orders. Subscribe to updates from the Council for Leather Exports and your industry association.

Recommended annual review: Review your product portfolio against the current QCO list. If you have added new adhesive formulations or changed suppliers, verify that your compliance documentation is still accurate.

Before every BIS inspection or audit: Run through the documentation checklist. Make sure test reports are current, calibration records are up to date, and your quality control manual reflects your actual manufacturing process.

When a standard is revised: Update your technical file, re-test if necessary, and inform your BIS branch office if you hold a licence under the old standard. A revision does not necessarily mean the older edition becomes invalid immediately; BIS may specify an implementation or withdrawal date. Manufacturers should check the standard’s current BIS record and any associated implementation guidance.

FAQs

1. Is BIS certification mandatory for all footwear adhesives in India?

Mandatory BIS certification applies where a current Quality Control Order or other applicable government notification makes conformity to the relevant Indian Standard compulsory. The footwear QCOs cover footwear products and components, not adhesives as a generic category. Verify your specific product against the current BIS QCO list.

2. What does July 31, 2027 mean for small footwear manufacturers?

The 2026 footwear amendments extended the applicable transition/stock-clearance period to July 31, 2027 for the relevant footwear categories. The date should not be treated as a universal certification deadline for every footwear manufacturer or every adhesive product. Check the specific QCO and your enterprise/product category.

3. Do small units need to set up an in-house laboratory for BIS certification?

For eligible micro and small units, certain footwear product manuals provide optional SIT provisions. Depending on the applicable product manual, this can reduce specific in-house testing requirements. It should not be interpreted as a blanket exemption from all testing or quality-control obligations.

4. What is the applicable Indian Standard for PU footwear adhesives?

BIS maintains IS 17397 (Part 1): 2022 for thermoplastic polyurethanes for moulding and extrusion. The former Polyurethanes (Quality Control) Order, 2021 associated with the earlier IS 17397 (Part 1): 2020 framework was rescinded in November 2025. IS 17397 (Part 1): 2022 therefore should not be presented as a current compulsory footwear-adhesive requirement. Whether a PU adhesive requires BIS certification must be assessed against its own product classification and the current applicable QCO or notification.

5. Can I apply for BIS certification under Scheme II?

The Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 provides an alternative Scheme II route for specified products covered by the QCOs listed in its Schedule. The footwear QCOs are included. Eligibility and application conditions apply, so manufacturers should check the order and current BIS instructions before relying on this route.

6. What documents do I need for BIS certification of a solvent-based adhesive product?

Depending on the applicable Indian Standard and certification scheme, documents may include business registration details, product specifications, chemical or technical information, safety data sheets, applicable standards, test reports, quality-control documentation and manufacturing records.

7. How do I find the correct Indian Standard for my adhesive product?

Use the BIS “Know Your Standard” search facility. Enter keywords related to your product, such as “footwear adhesive,” “polyurethane adhesive,” or “rubber adhesive.” The database will show relevant Indian Standards and indicate whether they are voluntary or mandatory.

8. Does the BIS QCO apply to adhesives manufactured only for export?

The footwear QCOs contain exemptions for goods or articles meant for export, but the exact exemption conditions depend on the applicable QCO. If you manufacture for both domestic and export markets, verify which products and transactions qualify for the exemption.

9. What happens if my product is not covered by any QCO?

If your product is not listed under a QCO, BIS certification is not mandatory. A manufacturer may choose voluntary BIS certification where it supports customer requirements, procurement conditions or quality assurance objectives.

10. How often are Indian Standards for adhesives revised?

Indian Standards are reviewed periodically by the relevant technical committee. Revisions can take several years. When a standard is revised, BIS issues guidelines for implementation and sets a withdrawal date for the old version. Subscribe to BIS updates to stay informed.

Final Thoughts

The BIS rules affecting footwear adhesives in India are not always straightforward. For a small unit, the practical starting point is to verify the exact product against the current notification rather than relying on general assumptions.

Start by checking the BIS “Know Your Standard” database. Confirm whether your product falls under a QCO. If it does, identify the applicable Indian Standard and prepare your documentation. If it does not, maintain good records anyway — it will help you respond quickly if regulations change.

For readers who are researching adhesive options after identifying their application requirements, Citifix provides footwear adhesive products including PU and solvent-based systems. You can explore PU adhesive solutions and solvent-based systems, as well as sole bonding adhesives for footwear assembly applications.

If you have questions about your specific adhesive requirements, contact us to discuss your production process and material needs. You can also learn more about us and our approach to supporting the Indian footwear industry.