Textiles Committee

Textiles Committee
Name	Textiles Committee
Formation	1963
Headquarters	Mumbai, India
Region served	India
Parent organization	Ministry of Textiles

Textiles Committee

The Textiles Committee is a statutory body established to promote quality and testing in the Indian textile sector. It operates as an autonomous organization under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, engaging with producers, exporters, and research institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Science. The Committee interfaces with international bodies including the International Organization for Standardization, Bureau of Indian Standards, and the World Trade Organization to align Indian textile practices with global norms.

History

The Committee was constituted in 1963 following recommendations from policy reviews during the administration of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and later industrial reforms under Indira Gandhi that emphasized industrial modernization. Early collaborations involved the Central Silk Board and the Cotton Corporation of India to address raw material quality for the Bombay Dyeing and Arvind Mills clusters. During the liberalization era under P. V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, the Committee broadened its remit to support export-oriented units in regions such as Tirupur and Surat, interfacing with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and the Confederation of Indian Industry. Post-2000 initiatives saw coordination with the National Institute of Fashion Technology and bilateral projects with agencies like the UK Department for International Development and the European Commission.

Organization and Governance

The Committee’s governance comprises a Chairperson appointed in consultation with the Ministry of Textiles and a Board including representatives from stakeholders such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, the All India Textile Mills’ Association, and labor representation linked to unions like the Indian National Trade Union Congress. Technical advisory panels draw experts from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Textile Association (India), and academia including Banaras Hindu University and Anna University. Regional offices coordinate with state bodies such as the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board and the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation to implement laboratory services and outreach.

Functions and Responsibilities

The Committee’s principal responsibilities include formulation of test protocols, facilitation of quality assurance for exporters, and advisory services to spinning mills and weaving clusters including Coimbatore and Panipat. It issues technical guidance for stakeholders like the Handloom Export Promotion Council and the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council. The body also mediates standards adoption in collaboration with Bureau of Indian Standards committees responsible for textile and apparel codes, and provides inputs for government schemes administered by the National Handloom Development Programme and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme.

Laboratory and Testing Services

The Committee operates accredited testing laboratories offering services in fiber identification, tensile testing, colorfastness, and flammability assessment used by manufacturers such as Raymond Group and exporters to markets like the European Union, United States, and Japan. Testing services align with methods from the American Society for Testing and Materials and the International Electrotechnical Commission where applicable, and laboratories collaborate with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories for quality management. Specialized facilities support analysis for technical textiles used by organizations including Bharat Electronics Limited and for protective textiles specified by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Standards and Certification

The Committee plays an advisory role in implementation of standards such as those codified by the Bureau of Indian Standards and coordinates certification pathways that help exporters comply with regulatory frameworks in destinations like United Kingdom, Germany, United States, Canada, and Australia. It supports accreditation processes tied to the Goods and Services Tax era traceability requirements and works with customs authorities at ports including Nhava Sheva and Mundra to facilitate clearance of quality-assured consignments. The Committee has contributed to development of voluntary certification marks sought by brands such as H&M, Zara (retailer), and domestic retailers like Big Bazaar.

Projects and Industry Impact

The Committee has conducted capacity-building projects in textile clusters including Tirupur knitwear, Surat processing, and Bhiwandi dyeing, partnering with institutions such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and state governments of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Impact assessments link Committee interventions to increased export competitiveness for exporters registered with the Merchandise Export from India Scheme and to adoption of cleaner production practices promoted alongside the Central Pollution Control Board. Its laboratory upgrades and training programs have supported innovation in collaborations with companies like Grasim Industries and research centers such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for improved cotton quality.

Category:Textile industry in India Category:Government agencies of India