India : Non tariff barrier on apparels under grab of non-compliance

Several reports show that some US retailers commented on non-compliance by the garment manufacturers in India and specifically engaging child / forced labour in the factories.
This is clarified that the Government has prescribed the labour laws regarding engaging of people for manufacturing of goods in their factories and the same is checked / controlled by the concerned government agencies from the labour department, various other agencies associated with the industry.
The Govt authorities have a mechanism to ensure that the rules / laws made by the Govt are being implemented in each factory stringently.
The Indian apparel industry has been an important sourcing destination for apparel not just because of its competitiveness, but also due to high standard products manufactured and strict compliance standards.
Exporters are meeting additional compliance requirements / norms being prescribed by the foreign buyers. It is also pertinent to note that most of the units are in SME, however, compliance standards are being monitored / followed by each unit.
As per the recent study conducted by AEPC, an international audit firm has reported on compliance matters that Indian firms fare better than other prominent suppliers like China and Bangladesh.
AEPC wishes to clarify the position that all members are strictly following the laws of the country along with the specific compliance issues of respective buyers and no member of the council employs any child / forced labour.
Council has rubbished these reports and believes that these claims are not based on the facts.
Such reports are growing form of the non-tariff barriers which will affect the existing trade with developed countries.