(EIC) is the official export inspection and certification body of India set up under the Export (Quality Control & Inspection) Act, 1963, to ensure sound development of Indian export trade through implementing various quality control & inspection schemes. These schemes are operated through its field organization i.e. Export Inspection Agencies (EIAs), set up under Section -7 of the Act, with regional headquarters at Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai with a network of 41 Sub offices including laboratories at various inspection ports and industrial centres. Export inspection and quality control schemes are operated for various notified and non-notified commodities including those in food & agriculture sector prominent being Fish & Fishery Products, Milk & Milk Products, Poultry & Poultry Products, Basmati Rice and Honey.

EIC is proposing to develop a stand-alone scheme for HACCP certification in food sector, which would provide credible certification to exporter at a reasonable cost. In this regard, EIC invites proposals from experts who have experience in the area of developing HACCP certification schemes.

Proposal for developing a detailed scheme for HACCP certification along with operating procedures, formats and any other documentation required for accreditation indicating the total time period required for the project, action plan proposed for the activity, details of experience in the field, total consultancy fee and any other relevant information may be submitted. The proposal should be submitted to Joint Director (Technical), EIC by 30th August 2003.

Food exporters to register with USFDA Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Act of 2002 recently enacted in USA, it has become mandatory for owners, operators or agents incharge of domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption in USA to register with USFDA not later than December 12, 2003. However USFDA is not accepting applications before October 12, 2003.