Revamping India's Export Testing: A Holistic Approach

The Indian Export Inspection Council is planning to improve the nation’s food testing infrastructure to boost exports. By conducting a detailed gap assessment, the council aims to identify shortcomings and devise a comprehensive plan. New labs and advanced technologies are being introduced, along with international agreements, to streamline processes and reduce costs for exporters.

The Indian commerce ministry's Export Inspection Council (EIC) is gearing up to enhance the country's food testing infrastructure as a means to bolster exports, according to a high-ranking official. The council is focusing on a detailed gap analysis to craft a comprehensive expansion plan.

Nitin Kumar Yadav, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, disclosed that the initiative examines commodities and geographical areas to pinpoint deficiencies. A robust strategy is expected post-study completion in the coming months to augment the infrastructure holistically.

The EIC, pivotal in quality control for export-bound commodities, is embracing advanced technologies like IoT-based sampling. Concurrently, the council is forming global agreements to establish its processes internationally, thereby cutting costs for exporters.

(With inputs from agencies.)