New Marking Requirements for Handlooms: Key Features and Implications for Stakeholders

India’s handloom sector is on the cusp of a fundamental shift in how “handloom” can be described and sold.

The Ministry of Textiles has proposed the Handloom Mark Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2025, which will make use of the Handloom Mark Label mandatory for any product marketed as “handloom” in India once notified in the Official Gazette. In practice, this means that the erstwhile voluntary Handloom Mark Scheme – introduced in 2006 – will become a de facto certification and traceability regime for all genuine handloom fabrics and products.

Our latest note explains:

• Scope and coverage – how the Regulations apply across the handloom ecosystem, from individual weavers and co‑operatives to manufacturer‑exporters, brands, retailers and e‑commerce platforms;
• Core obligations – mandatory affixing of Handloom Mark Labels, registration with the Textiles Committee, production‑capacity verification, record‑keeping, inspections and restrictions on third‑party use;
• Enforcement architecture – the repercussions for non-compliance, including inspection/search powers, seizure, and potential criminal penalties and confiscation for misuse or mis-labelling; and
• Next steps for stakeholders – practical checklists for weavers, co‑operatives, exporters, brand owners, retailers and online marketplaces to prepare for the proposed 1 October 2026 entry into force, including documentation, supply‑chain mapping and contract updates.

For India‑focused and global buyers of handloom products, the Regulations will become the legal and commercial gateway to marketing goods as “handloom” in both domestic and export channels. Our analysis sets out how stakeholders can align early with the emerging regime, manage enforcement risk, and leverage the Handloom Mark as a marker of authenticity and compliance.

Read the detailed update here