Government mulls lifting ban on PPE export

NEW DELHI: India is likely to open up next week the export of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), five months after the ban on exports was put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The textiles ministry, which has asked industry to prepare for international certifications to be able to begin exports, said it has a disposable surplus of 50 lakh PPEs which can be exported.

PPEs are specialized protective suits, which is critical for medical personnel dealing with Covid-19 cases.

The textiles ministry has sent proposals in this regard to the ministries of commerce and industry, and finance.

“There are demands from many markets and we have a disposable surplus of around 50 lakh PPEs that can be exported every month,” said an official in the know of the details.

While medical coveralls are prohibited for export, non-medical coveralls can be exported which is used in industry, spas and saloons.

ET had reported earlier this month that the government has asked industry to prepare for global certification to be able to export PPE once India’s demand for the product is fulfilled.

India’s peak PPE production was 5 lakh PPEs daily and has stabilised around 4 lakh per day.

As per the Apparel Export Promotion Council, there is rising PPE demand from the EU, UK and the US.