Export Inspection Council (EIC)

Why in News?

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.

References

1. The Indian Express| EIC & Its International Recognitions
2. EIC India| Export Inspection Council (EIC)