Recently, the Export Inspection Council (EIC) has initiated an assessment on food testing infrastructure for exports.
EIC– It is the apex advisory body to the Government.
Established in – 1963, under section 3 of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963.
Nodal agency– Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Vision– To facilitate worldwide access for Indian exports to meet international norms.
Objectives– To create an export inspection & certification infrastructure based on International Standards for Certification Authority in consonance with World Trade Organizations requirements.
To instill confidence in importers as well as regulatory authorities of India’s trading partners about quality and safety of products.
Role– Notify commodities which will be subjected to quality control and/or inspection prior to export.
Establish standards of quality for such notified commodities.
Specify the type of quality control and/or inspection to be applied to such commodities.
Powers– It exercises administrative control over the 5 Export Inspection Agencies (EIAs).
EIAs are located at Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Issue Certificates of origin to exporters under various preferential tariff schemes for export product
Certification types
Consignment wise inspection
Certification of quality of food items for export through installation of Food safety Management System in the food processing units.
International Recognitions– It is recognized by European Union, United States, Australia, Turkey, Korea, Japan and among others.
Initiatives– It is set to launch a user-friendly online portal integrating traceability modules, a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and E-Health features.
