In a major shake-up for India’s textile, chemical, and plastic sectors, the Centre has withdrawn 14 quality control orders (QCOs) issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). These QCOs were mandatory certifications that added extra costs to small businesses, pushing up prices for customers and hurting India's tiny and small manufacturers. This decision is a big relief for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and export-driven industries. The removed QCOs mainly related to key chemical and fibre materials that go into making garments, fertilizers, and many chemicals. Why is this big news? Around 70% of the world's garments are made using synthetic fibres like polyester. But Indian exporters could not compete well globally because they had to buy expensive local polyester fibre and yarn. Now, with the QCOs gone, cheaper Chinese polyester fibre can enter India, cutting prices by 20-25% compared to domestic options - says industry insiders. This will make it easier for manufacturers in packaging, textiles, and moulding sectors to get raw materials affordably and boost their business. Sanjay Jain, former chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, called this "a big move to make India competitive in MMF (man-made fibre), with 70% market share globally." He also noted that India’s free trade agreements and ongoing talks with Europe make the country ready to become a global leader in apparel and textiles. Southern India Mills’ Association Chairman Durai Palanisamy described the move as "a lifeline for power loom units" that faced closure due to the lack of affordable fibre. "Exporters lost orders because foreign buyers insisted on sourcing from international suppliers," he explained, making Indian makers weaker. Jain stressed that the industry had long demanded a level playing field since high raw material costs made Indian products uncompetitive against China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Domestic customers too will benefit as prices for polyester clothes are expected to fall. India had already removed import duty on cotton, expecting huge cotton imports by 2025-26. While cotton is king in India’s textile sector, the global trend favors man-made fibres (MMF). India’s textile growth lagged because of limited cotton supplies, unlike rivals Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand. Ashwin Chandran, another textile industry leader, said this government move "would push growth in India’s MMF segment." Previously, India had QCOs on man-made fibres between 2022 and 2023 and anti-dumping duties that pushed up costs. Now, raw materials should be cheaper and easier to get, boosting confidence. Chandran added: "With the export package announced on November 12, removing these QCOs will be a huge boost for textile and apparel sectors." The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry wants similar relief for viscose fibre and other cellulosic materials as India aims for a $350 billion textile and apparel industry by 2030, targeting $100 billion in exports. This bold step could be the game-changer Indian textiles needed to shine on the world stage.