India is moving toward a major policy shift in the domestic textile and apparel market, with plans underway to introduce mandatory labelling requirements for garments and home textiles. The proposed framework—still in its early stages—would require manufacturers to clearly disclose fibre content, product origin, and care instructions, aligning Indian market practices with global standards.
Government officials familiar with the development say early consultations with stakeholders have already taken place, although the final structure of the regulation is yet to be finalized. In mature international markets, transparent labelling on country of origin, fibre composition, and care guidelines is a long-established norm, helping consumers make informed choices and enabling better recycling processes.
India’s textiles and apparel sector continues to be a critical contributor to the economy. The country’s textile and apparel output was valued at US $175.7 billion in 2024, while exports between April and October of FY ’25 reached US $20.4 billion.
A participant from the cotton textile industry who attended one of the stakeholder meetings noted that such a rule could help consumers differentiate locally manufactured products from lower-priced imports, especially at a time when India is signing several new trade agreements. Industry specialists added that precise fibre composition details are essential for evaluating whether a product can be recycled or must be discarded—information increasingly sought by large retail chains as they optimise inventory and supply-chain processes.
Another industry representative observed that the forthcoming regulation is intended to improve consumer protection in cases where critical information on fibre content, origin, or care guidelines is missing or misleading.
The Ministry of Textiles is also preparing a broader action plan focused on strengthening India’s textile waste ecosystem. Proposals include making recycled material content mandatory in public-sector textile procurement, establishing national standards and certifications for textile recycling, and conducting a detailed assessment of both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste streams to identify major sources of textile waste.