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Export Inspection Council of India (EIC): Know its role and functions

The Export Inspection Council is the official export certification authority of India. In this blog, learn about its role and functions, along with certifications provided by the EIC.
Export Inspection Council
When exporting from India, quality assurance and compliance with global standards are essential for establishing trust and long-lasting customer relationships. The Export Inspection Council (EIC), based in New Delhi, plays a pivotal role in this process, overseeing the inspection, testing, and certification of Indian exports.

Through rigorous quality management practices, the EIC supports Indian manufacturers and exporters in meeting international benchmarks. In this blog, we’ll delve into the EIC’s functions, its impact on export standards, and the certification process that reinforces India’s global trade reputation.

What is the Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)?

The Export Inspection Council is an advisory body established by the Government of India to support the growth of India's export industry through quality control and inspection.
The EIC advises the government on various matters, including:

● Notifying which goods need inspection or quality control before export.
● Setting quality standards for export goods.
● Specifying the type of inspection and/or quality control methods to be used.

The Export Inspection Council of India aims to create a trustworthy and transparent inspection and certification system for Indian exports, thereby gaining international recognition as the country's top authority on quality and safety standards.1

What are Export Inspection Agencies?

Export Inspection Agencies (EIAs) are organizations authorized and overseen by the Export Inspection Council (EIC). Located in key cities across India, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Delhi, and Chennai, these agencies work alongside the EIC to uphold quality standards across the export industry. Through their authorization and a robust monitoring system, the EIAs ensure consistent regulatory oversight, reinforcing the quality and safety of India’s exports.2

Role and functions of the Export Inspection Council ofIndia

The Export Inspection Council (EIC) plays a critical role in facilitating smooth trade between India and other nations by ensuring the quality and safety of export products.3 Some key functions of the EIC include:

● Ensuring product quality and safety under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act 1963, including food safety certification and consignment inspection.
● Providing mandatory certifications for specific food products, such as dairy, honey, and fishery products.
● Issuing essential certificates like health certificate, certificate of authenticity,certificate for export, certificate of origin, and non-GMO certificate.
● Offering NABL-accredited laboratory testing facilities for exporters.
● Hosting training and capacity building programs for exporters.
● Investigating complaints, addressing issues with sub-standard goods or exporters, and facilitating dispute resolution.4

Export Inspection Council (EIC) services

Some key services offered by the EIC are as follows:
● Quality control and inspection
● Laboratory testing
● Certifications like Certificate for Export, Health Certificate, Certificate of Authenticity, and Non-GMO Certificate
● Recognition of inspection agencies
● Training and capacity building
● Complaint resolution5

Products covered under the Export Inspection Council (EIC)

The EIC certifies a variety of products for export. Some of these are as follows:
● Animal casing
● Black pepper
● Basmati rice
● Egg products
● Feed additives and premixtures
● Fish and fishery products
● Live fish
● Fruit products
● Honey
● Hatchery
● Milk products
● Poultry meat products
● Raw meat products6

Certifications provided by the Export Inspection Council of India

1. Certificate for Export (CFE): Certifies that all consignments of fish and fishery products meet specific quality and safety standards required for export.
2. Health certificates: Issued based on favorable lab results that comply with importing country standards, including microbiological testing if required. If there are complaints or violations, three new consignments must be tested at the exporter’s expense before a certificate can be issued.
3. Certificates of Origin (COO): Certifies the country of manufacture of exported goods and is often required by importing countries to determine tariff rates and ensure compliance with trade regulations.
4. Certificate of Authenticity: Issued for basmati rice exported to EU countries for reduced import duties, verifying parameters such as region of cultivation, FOB value, grade of rice, confirmation of basmati, and quantity/packing.
5. Non-GMO certificate: Certifies that products are free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), helping exporters comply with importing countries' restrictions on GMOs in food and agriculture.7

Process of availing of Export Inspection Council certification

Exporters can use the services of the Export Inspection Council and its network agencies for the mandatory examination of products prior to shipment. Here is an overview of the steps involved in obtaining a certificate from the EIC:

Step 1: Submit online application

Submit an online application to the relevant Export Inspection Agency (EIA) through the EIC website.

Step 2: Login credentials

Obtain a one-time username and password via an online link on the EIC website and login using the credentials.

Step 3: Complete application form

Fill out the online application form by uploading documents like copies of the invoice, packing list, test results, and other supporting documents as necessary.

Step 4: Make payment

Make the payment to the relevant EIA office as instructed.8

Conclusion

The Export Inspection Council plays a pivotal role in ensuring that exported goods from India adhere to international quality and safety standards. It is crucial for e-commerce exporters to understand how the EIC operates and the process for obtaining mandatory certificates for exports. For more assistance on documentation and compliance, e-commerce exporters can avail the tools and services offered by e-commerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling.

Amazon Global Selling: Easy e-commerce exports and hassle-free shipping

If you are a business owner and you want to sell your products across the world, Amazon Global Selling enables you to list and sell ‘Made in India’ products on 18+ Amazon global marketplaces. As an e-commerce exports program, Amazon Global Selling provides support and guidance at every step of your exports journey – documents and licenses, logistics, payments, advertising, and more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Export Inspection Agency?
An Export Inspection Agency is an administrative body approved by the EIC for inspecting export products.
What is the role of the Export Inspection Agency in the pre-shipment inspection?
EIAs are managed by the Export Inspection Council and are involved in pre-shipment inspection, quality control, and certification with many laboratories. They are also engaged in consignment-wise inspection, quality control, and self-certification.
Published on January 15, 2021.

Sources:
1. https://www.indiastandardsportal.org/ExportInspectionCouncil.aspx
2. https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/export-inspection-agency/#
3. https://www.eicindia.gov.in/WebApp1/pages/public/landingPage.xhtml
4. https://commerce.gov.in/about-us/autonomous-bodies/export-inspection-council-of-india-eic/
5. https://www.eicindia.gov.in/WebApp1/pages/menuInfo/QualityControlAndInspection.xhtml
6. https://indiastandardsportal.org/ExportInspectionCouncil.aspx
7. https://www.eicindia.gov.in/WebApp1/pages/menuInfo/NonGmoCert.xhtml#
8. https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/EI.pdf
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*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.

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