Children and babies have recently emerged as key target consumers for textile and footwear industry. Many adult clothing and shoe manufacturers have now started producing childrenswear and footwear.
Recognizing the trend, Government decided to take some measures to ensure the welfare of the young consumers.
According to a new standard recently issued, manufacturers are required to mark the baby clothes with the 'No dry-cleaning' label.
This is applicable to clothes for babies below the age of 24 months, because certain agents in dry-cleaning process may harm their delicate skin.
This is the first ever National standard issued for baby-wear.
Another important caution, the enterprises must take, states that, the PH value for baby-clothes must be within the range of 4.0-9.0.
Government also issued new standards for socks which will replace the 2004 standards. The new standards treat thin and thick cotton socks separately, specifying different quality requirements for both.
The law keeps check on sizes of socks sole made from cotton and spandex and also the dyes used. The 'Denier' unit will be now replaced by 'Dtex'.
Even here, special attention has been given to baby-socks.
Experts say that these standards will help domestic enterprises to meet the international product quality requirements.
All these laws will be made effective from October 2008.