DGFT Calls for Information on Foreign Certification and Compliance Barriers Affecting Indian Exports
Sangeetha Prathap
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a Trade Notice calling for information on Non-Tariff Measures and certification requirements applicable to Indian exports. Exporters have been asked to submit the required details within seven days of the issuance of the notice through an online form.
The notice has been issued in the backdrop of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to facilitate easier access to export credit and strengthen cross-border factoring support. The EPM is jointly driven by the Ministries of Commerce, MSME and Finance. In furtherance of its objectives, DGFT plans to undertake a comprehensive mapping of mandatory and voluntary Non-Tariff Measures faced by Indian exporters in overseas markets, including certifications, testing requirements, inspections, audits, labelling norms and other compliance conditions.
DGFT noted that the absence of a consolidated database on such Non-Tariff Measures affects exporters’ ability to plan and price their products competitively. To address this issue, information has been sought from exporters, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards and Industry Associations to map sector-specific and destination-specific certification and compliance requirements.
As per the notice, exporters are required to furnish details of the name and nature of certification or inspection, whether it is mandatory or voluntary, the sectors affected, approximate cost and validity, the country or region where it applies, the list of recognised labs or certifying bodies and any additional compliance challenges they face.
The information collected will form the basis for building a central repository under the Export Promotion Mission to address barriers arising out of foreign certification norms and testing requirements. The notice states that submissions must be made within the stipulated seven-day period through the designated online form.
