Surat: The Surat Chamber of Commerce’s SITME Expo, scheduled for April, has been postponed due to the fear surrounding the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for textile machinery. This decision has dealt a significant blow to the textile industry and the Chamber itself, with 150 exhibitors demanding refunds for their booking fees.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, announced that BIS certification would be mandatory for textile machinery from August 28, 2025. This announcement has sparked widespread opposition from the industry. Various industrial associations, including the Chamber of Commerce, have made representations to the relevant departments, but there has been no positive response from the government.

The uncertainty surrounding the BIS certification has led 150 exhibitors to demand refunds for their booking fees, causing a substantial financial loss to the Chamber. Exhibitors have also decided not to deliver machinery, leading to the postponement of the SITME Expo.

Industry leaders fear that the mandatory BIS certification will severely impact the textile industry, hindering development and potentially affecting future events like the PM Mitra Park and private industrial parks. The new technology machines are largely imported, and the government’s announcement is expected to disrupt the supply chain.

Chamber President Vijay Mewawala stated that the SITME Expo is crucial for showcasing the latest technological advancements in textile machinery, including waterjet, airjet, rapier, rapier jacquard, digital printing, and embroidery machines. This year’s expo had received an unprecedented 6,000 square meters of booking. However, due to the lack of clarity regarding the BIS certification, the expo had to be postponed.

The industry is demanding more time to implement the BIS certification. However, the government has yet to provide any clarification. Furthermore, Chinese companies have reportedly decided not to ship machinery to India after June 25th due to the mandatory BIS requirement. DeshGujarat