Q

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What is EIC?

A

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EIC is the official certification body of the Government of India. It has been established under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (22 of 1963), for advising the Central Government on measures to be taken for development of export trade through quality control & pre-shipment inspection.

Q

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What are EIAs?

A

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EIAs are the five Export Inspection Agencies having headquarters at Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Delhi & Madras. EIAs are autonomous bodies established by the Central Government under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (22 of 1963), as the field organisations for implementing the policies of the Central Government with respect to quality control and / or pre – shipment inspection of export commodities from India.

Q

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What are the services offered by EIC or EIAs?

A

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Please refer to About EIC

Q

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What is meant by "notified commodities"?

A

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Notified commodities represent the products that are subject to compulsory pre-shipment inspection under section 6 of the Export (Quality Control & Inspection) Act, 1963. A list of such notified products is detailed at Pre Shipment Inspection & Certification Schemes

Q

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Is pre-shipment inspection and certification by EIAs a must for export of notified commodity?

A

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Yes, it is a must for export of the following commodities:

- Fish & Fishery Products,

- Honey,

- Egg Products,

- Milk & Milk Products, and

- Black Pepper for USA to avoid detentions.

- Basmati rice for EU to avail duty drawback.

For other products, exporters can avail of certain exemptions under the liberalised procedures. For details, please refer to Relaxations.

Q

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Can an exporter avail services of EIC / EIAs for products that are not notified under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (22 of 1963)?

A

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Yes, on request, after payment of requisite fee.

Q

 

Do EIC/EIAs have their own laboratories for testing of export products?

A

 

Yes, for most of the products.

Q

 

What is the basis of EIC/EIAs’ inspection and certification?

A

 

Depending upon the product, any of the following or a combination is taken as the basis of inspection and certification –

  • Requirements laid down in the notification;

  • Buyers Requirements;

  • Requirements of the importing countries;

  • National and International Standards;

  • Contractual specifications;

Primary aim of the EIC / EIAs in this respect is to ensure compliance of the product to the requirements of the importing country and / or the buyer.

Q : What is the advantage of EIC/EIA certification to exporters?
A :

The certification of EIC/EIAs provides the following benefits to the exporters:

(a) independent third party certification as a tool for market access.
(b) official assurance of quality, which is becoming particularly relevant in food sector to meet regulatory requirements of importing countries.
(c) free entry for Indian products in overseas market through equivalence agreements / MOUs with official import control bodies of our trading partners whereby EIC’s certification is recognised by them as meeting their requirements; i.e. Black Pepper to USA, which if not accompanied by EIA certificates, is detained by USFDA on arrival.