By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JAN 02, 2025: THE Export Inspection Council of India (EIC), which came into being on 1st January, 1964, is a statutory body tasked with advising the government on quality control, pre-shipment inspection standards, and other related matters. Since its inception, the EIC has evolved to a key facilitator of India's export trade apart from the regulatory responsibility, enabling exporters to meet the stringent quality demands of international markets.

EIC has ramped up testing facilities in the country to 78 accredited labs. Number of export establishments approved through the EIC system increased to 1,446 from 794 during the last decade. Export certificates accepted by importing countries has nearly doubled in a decade, surging from 61,000 to over 120,000.

The laboratory ecosystem has been expanded from 21 recognized labs in 2013-14, which are ISO 17025 - accredited to 78 labs in 2024-25, to ensure timely testing and facilitate export.

The overall approach of EIC is through development of capability of export establishments and promoting the Food Safety Management System, a System based approach, which instilled confidence by importing countries. The number of export establishments approved through this system increased to 1,446 during 2023-24 from 794 in 2013-14; an 82 per cent growth.

The EIC has developed the trust of international regulatory authorities by demonstration of effective official control systems, which are evident in number export certificates accepted by importing countries, grown from 61,000 in 2013-14 to over 120,000 during 2023-24, which has almost doubled in the last decade.

The EIC's certification system is recognized by major international regulatory bodies, including that of European Union, USA, Australia, Turkey, Korea, Japan, etc., reflecting its commitment to international quality benchmarks. Active participation in Codex Alimentarius, ISO, WTO, etc., has enabled EIC to advance science-based standards, reducing trade barriers and fostering seamless international trade.

The EIC is set to launch a user-friendly integrated (traceability module, LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) and E-Health) online portal. This will streamline and manage end-to-end processes involved in inspection, testing, and certification for exports. Adopting advanced technologies, like, IoT based sampling techniques. Geographical expansion to improve trade & inspection processes: Kakinada (AP). New Laboratories at Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Faridabad (Haryana), Mangalore (Karnataka).

Upgradation of laboratory towards advanced techniques - Species Identification, Virus / Pathogen Testing, Authenticity & Geographical Origin and Focus on Rapid Testing Methods to reduce TAT. Reference Material Producer as per ISO 17034 (one of the key challenges - availability and cost for labs). EIC also initiated a detailed study on gap assessment on food testing infrastructure for exports.

The various food product categories notified under the act include Fish, Milk, Eggs, Honey, Basmati & Non-Basmati Rice, Fruits & Vegetables, Poultry and Processed Meat, Meat, Peanuts (EU, Malaysia, Singapore), Rapeseed & Soybean Meal (China), Black Pepper (USA); Animal Products: Gelatin, Ossein, Bones, Animal Casings; Feed Additives and Pre-mixtures; Others: Nutraceuticals containing Botanicals, Salt, Voluntary Certification Scheme for non -notified food products requiring certification by importing countries.

The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (22 of 1963), enacted on January 1, 1964, has been a cornerstone in promoting India's export trade by ensuring compulsory quality control and pre-shipment inspection. Over the past six decades, this legislative framework has significantly bolstered India's position as a reliable global trade partner while safeguarding consumer interests worldwide.

The EIC, headquartered in New Delhi, with a robust operational network of Export Inspection Agencies (EIAs) located in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Kochi. These agencies are supported by 24 sub-offices at major ports and export hubs.

In the past decade, EIC has organized 653 training programs for stakeholders in laboratory testing, quality management, and food safety systems. Additionally, through its International Training Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (ITCFSAN) in Mumbai, EIC has conducted over 100 training sessions since 2019, benefitting more than 6,000 personnel, including food business operators, regulators, and laboratory professionals.New office-cum-laboratory complex has been established in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh under EIA-Chennai and Bhubaneswar, Odisha under EIA-Kolkata to improve testing infrastructure for facilitation of export trade. The laboratory at EIA-Kochi has been upgraded to facilitate export trade.

The EIC, as part of the anniversary of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, has organized three media outreach programs at Kochi, Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam where experts.