Several Measures Taken To Boost Sustainability In Textile Sector, Says Minister

New Delhi, Mar 11 (KNN) The government has introduced a series of regulatory and policy measures aimed at improving environmental compliance and sustainability in the textile sector, said Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh in Lok Sabha.

In a written reply to a question, the Minister said that Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets have been notified for carbon-intensive sectors, including textiles, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). Under the framework, obligated entities are required to disclose their Scope-1 and Scope-2 emissions.

The Minister said that a pilot project is also being implemented to provide technical assistance and capacity building to small and medium enterprises.

The government has also taken steps to regulate the use of hazardous chemicals in textile processing.

As per the written reply, the use of benzidine-based dyes and their salts in dyeing and colour processing industries has been restricted since 1990. Subsequently, the handling of 70 azodyes was prohibited through a notification issued in March 1997.

In addition, India ratified the Stockholm Convention in January 2006, committing to global efforts to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants.

To promote sustainable production practices, the government has notified the Eco-Mark Scheme 2024, which includes textiles among the identified product categories.

The eco-labelling framework is designed to encourage environmentally responsible manufacturing, use of eco-friendly raw materials, reduced use of hazardous chemicals, efficient resource utilisation and improved wastewater and emission management.

In the Union Budget 2026–27, the government announced an integrated programme for the textile sector aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and sustainability.

The programme includes a National Fibre Scheme to promote self-reliance in natural, man-made and emerging fibres; a Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme to modernise traditional clusters through capital support for machinery and technology upgrades; and a National Handloom and Handicraft programme to support weavers and artisans.

Other initiatives under the programme include the Tex-Eco Initiative to promote globally competitive and sustainable textiles and apparel, and Samarth 2.0 aimed at modernising the textile skilling ecosystem through collaboration with industry and academic institutions.

(KNN Bureau)