The Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen quality standards, testing infrastructure, accreditation, and skill development in India’s leather and footwear industry.
The partnership aims to build a structured ecosystem for capacity building and certification across major footwear manufacturing clusters, including Agra, Bahadurgarh, Ranipet, Chennai, Calicut, and Kanpur. The initiative is expected to benefit workers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), supervisors, and other stakeholders involved in the leather and footwear value chain.
Under the agreement, both organisations will jointly develop programmes focused on workforce training, personal certification, quality management practices, and improved access to testing facilities. The collaboration also seeks to enhance the overall quality ecosystem of the sector by supporting laboratories and promoting awareness of quality-related standards and government schemes.
The initiative comes at a time when improving manufacturing quality and workforce capabilities has become increasingly important for enhancing the competitiveness of India’s labour-intensive industries, particularly those with a strong MSME presence.
Key Highlights
- QCI and FDDI signed an MoU on June 12, 2026, to strengthen the quality and skilling ecosystem in the leather and footwear sector.
- The initiative will cover major footwear clusters, including Agra, Bahadurgarh, Ranipet, Chennai, Calicut, and Kanpur.
- Joint programmes will be developed for workers, MSMEs, supervisors, and industry professionals.
- The partnership will focus on certification, quality management, testing infrastructure, and laboratory accreditation.
- A multi-level worker assessment and certification framework will be introduced, including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways.
- Testing and calibration laboratories will be mapped to identify infrastructure gaps and improve access in underserved areas.
Focus on Skills and Quality Enhancement
QCI and FDDI will jointly design need-based and outcome-oriented programmes tailored to the requirements of different stakeholders across the leather and footwear value chain. These programmes will focus on improving workforce skills, encouraging personal certification, and strengthening quality management practices.
The collaboration also aims to improve access to testing facilities and support laboratories in obtaining accreditation. Such measures could help businesses, especially MSMEs, meet quality requirements more effectively and improve their competitiveness.
QCI will provide technical guidance related to accreditation principles, quality management systems, and applicable standards. It will also conduct awareness initiatives for MSMEs on quality practices, testing procedures, accreditation processes, and relevant government schemes.
In addition, QCI and FDDI will contribute to joint monitoring frameworks and undertake research activities, including the preparation of white papers and case studies related to the sector.
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Cluster-Based Training and Testing Infrastructure
FDDI will lead the implementation of cluster-specific skilling and training programmes designed to address the unique requirements of different footwear manufacturing hubs.
The institute will also map existing testing and calibration laboratories to identify gaps in access to such facilities. Based on this assessment, it will support the establishment of sample collection centres in underserved clusters and develop knowledge resources for industry participants.
The selected clusters include some of India’s major footwear manufacturing centres such as Agra and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Bahadurgarh in Haryana, Ranipet and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, and Calicut in Kerala.
Worker Certification and Recognition of Experience
A key component of the MoU is the development of a multi-level worker assessment and personal certification framework.
The framework will include Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways for semi-skilled and experienced workers who possess industry-relevant skills but may not have formal educational qualifications. This approach aims to formally recognise existing competencies and improve opportunities for career progression within the sector.
The MoU was signed by QCI Secretary General Shri Chakravarthy T. Kannan and FDDI Managing Director Shri Vivek Sharma (IRS) on behalf of their respective organisations.
QCI is an autonomous body established by the Government of India to promote quality across products, services, and processes through independent third-party assessment mechanisms. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as its nodal department.
FDDI functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and works in the areas of education, research, skill development, testing, and certification for the leather and footwear sector.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
