The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has issued a significant notification updating India’s textile standardization framework. The notification announces the establishment of nine new and revised Indian Standards covering a wide spectrum of textile products—from hosiery and wool fibres to women’s garments and emerging smart textile technologies.
The move reflects BIS’s continued effort to modernize standards in line with technological advancements, international benchmarks, and evolving industry needs, while also ensuring a smooth transition for manufacturers by allowing older standards to remain valid until 28 May 2026.
Key Highlights of the Notification
1. Revised Standards for Core Textile Testing and Terminology
BIS has revised several long-standing standards to improve clarity, testing accuracy, and alignment with current practices:
• IS 3596:2025 – Glossary of Terms Relating to Hosiery
o First revision of the 1967 standard
o Updates terminology used across the hosiery sector
o Old version valid till 28 May 2026
• IS 6124:2025 – Crimp in Wool Fibres — Methods of Test
o First revision of the 1971 standard
o Introduces refined test methods for wool fibre crimp
o Old version valid till 28 May 2026
• IS 7703 (Part 3):2025 – Man-Made Fibre Continuous Filament Flat Yarn — Commercial Mass
o Second revision
o Enhances accuracy in commercial mass determination
o Earlier 1991 version valid till 28 May 2026
2. New Product Specifications for Women’s Apparel
For the first time, BIS has introduced dedicated product specifications for commonly used women’s garments made from cotton, synthetic, and blended fabrics:
• IS 19373:2025 – Women’s Stockings
• IS 19387:2025 – Leggings
• IS 19388:2025 – Shorts
These standards define quality parameters, construction requirements, and performance expectations, helping manufacturers ensure consistency and offering consumers better quality assurance.
3. Major Push Towards Smart Textiles
Recognizing the rapid growth of intelligent and functional textiles, BIS has adopted and aligned Indian standards with international ISO documents:
• IS 19436:2025 – Based on ISO 24584:2022
Test method for measuring sheet resistance of conductive textiles using non-contact techniques
• IS 19437:2025 – Based on ISO/TR 23383:2020
Covers definitions, classification, applications, and standardization needs of smart textiles
These standards are expected to support innovation in areas such as wearable electronics, healthcare textiles, and technical fabrics.
4. New Test Method for Fabric Surface Quality
• IS 19441:2025 – Smoothness Characteristics of Fabric — Method of Test
o Introduces standardized evaluation of fabric smoothness
o Useful for apparel, home textiles, and performance fabrics
o Transition Period: Relief for Industry
To minimize disruption, BIS has allowed concurrent validity of older standards (where applicable) until 28 May 2026. This gives manufacturers, testing laboratories, and certification bodies adequate time to:
• Upgrade testing infrastructure
• Align product specifications
• Train technical personnel
• Update compliance and quality systems
Why This Notification Matters
• Modernization: Updates decades-old standards to reflect current materials and technologies
• Global Alignment: Adoption of ISO standards strengthens international compatibility
• Consumer Protection: Clearer specifications and test methods improve product reliability
• Industry Growth: Special focus on smart textiles and women’s apparel supports emerging markets
