Textiles is one of the important sectors in India, and it has made a strong leap ahead with the “Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022”. The new order seeks to improve the safety and quality of textile products, especially those destined for non-domestic purposes such as furniture production. Under the new specifications, the textile products are now required to be in conformity with certain Indian Standards (IS) and display the BIS Standard Compliance Mark.
The BIS, which was formed under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, is tasked with creating standardization across industries in India. It is an indication of the government’s continued efforts to guarantee that textiles, mainly those used in the public or safety-critical zones, will be of top quality. With this new regulation, textile and furniture businesses need BIS online application support to remain alert, as their products will have to comply with these compulsory standards both in quality and safety.
The Protective Textiles Quality Control Order
The Textiles Quality Control Order came into action due to increasing alarms regarding fire safety in public and business premises. Textiles have long been a fundamental element in the design of furniture, particularly upholstery, adding both beauty and comfort. But some textile products used in furniture production have been in the spotlight for posing fire hazards. This has been amply clear that several high-profile cases of fires in public establishments such as hotels, offices, and restaurants. These fires not only did extensive damage to property but also posed serious hazards to human lives.
Sensing the need for intervention, the Ministry of Textiles, in association with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), has implemented this regulation in an effort to boost safety standards for textiles used in non-residential furniture. The Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, will ensure that the textile products comply with rigorous fire resistance, durability, and general performance requirements. The action is meant to comply with the ISI mark for industrial products, which reduces the chances of fires occurring in areas where people’s safety is paramount. It is a step towards the realization that textiles for furniture must not only be stylish and comfortable but also safe to use by consumers and the general public.
Key Requirements for the Textile BIS
The Protective Textiles Quality Control Order prescribes a number of key requirements for textile products that are applied in non-domestic furniture for the purposes of ensuring performance and safety:
- Ignitability
Textile products shall have high ignition resistance levels to reduce fire hazards. Such tests as the smoldering cigarette test, match flame equivalent test, and crib test are defined by the ISI mark for industrial products.
- Long-Term Durability of Flame Retardant Property
In the case of flame-retardant-treated textiles, their performance should not decrease over a period of time. That means that the flame resistance should be maintained after washing, in addition to exposure to weather conditions, to provide permanent safety.
- Toxicity Index
Materials to be used in high-risk areas, like public areas, have to conform to high levels of toxicity index. This is a measure to ensure that toxic substances are not emitted upon burning and for health.
- Visibility Through Smoke Emitted by Burning
For areas where visibility is critical, such as emergency doors or frequented areas, these fabrics have to comply with certain requirements for smoke emission to facilitate safe evacuation during fire.
- Other Requirements
Depending on your application, fabrics may also undergo additional testing for heat resistance, water resistance, or even bullet resistance, as specified in applicable Indian Standards.
These standards are important to ensure that textile items are used in public and business environments. Your product might be safe, resilient, and dependable, but you still need BIS online application support to get the BIS certification. That is where UMSPCS comes in; we help you in every part of securing the certificates and navigating the entire BIS registration process, from documentation and application to approval and compliance.
