Non-Tariff Measures: An Analytical Observation with Special Reference to Indian Textile and Clothing Industry

Non-tariff measures plays significant role in international competitiveness because market access at international level is dependent on the tariff and non-tariff measures. The tariff measures can be quantified but the quantification of non-tariff measures is not possible easily and accurately. The most crucial fact is that developing countries have comparative advantage in many products at international level but developed countries like EU and US try to hinder the imports of developing countries. This paper analyzed the different kinds of NTMs in general and NTMs imposed on Indian textile and clothing industry in particular. The standardized classification of non-tariff measures and various NTMs imposed by various countries have been studied in this research paper. India almost removed all of its NTMs except some essential NTMs which are necessary to protect human, plant and animal life. This paper further explored many types of NTMs which have been faced by Indian textile and clothing industry and found EU, US and other countries imposed barriers on the ground of labour and environmental concern.