Introduction to Pre-Shipment Inspection Systems
International trade demands rigorous quality assurance mechanisms to maintain credibility and competitiveness in global markets. Pre-shipment inspection represents a critical quality control methodology that provides exporters with systematic verification that their merchandise meets requisite standards before dispatch to destination markets. This inspection process serves multiple purposes, including verification of product specifications, assessment of quality parameters, confirmation of quantity accuracy, identification of manufacturing defects, and validation of compliance with destination market safety requirements.
The significance of pre-shipment inspection extends beyond mere regulatory compliance. It functions as a risk mitigation tool for both exporters and importers, reducing the probability of rejected shipments, minimizing financial losses from substandard products, preventing damage to business reputation, and ensuring smooth customs clearance at destination ports. The pre-shipment inspection report constitutes an essential trade document that must accompany other shipping documentation during export procedures, serving as evidence of quality compliance and contractual adherence.
Legislative Framework Governing Export Quality Control
The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
The legislative foundation for pre-shipment inspection in India rests upon the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 [1], which was enacted to promote exports of quality products conforming to international standards. This statute was introduced during a period when India sought to enhance its position in international trade through systematic quality assurance of exported goods. The Act represents parliamentary recognition that quality control mechanisms directly impact export competitiveness and national economic interests.
The primary objective articulated within this legislation centers on establishing comprehensive systems for quality control and pre-shipment inspection of export commodities. The Act empowers the Central Government to notify minimum standards for various export products, typically referencing international standards or specific requirements of importing countries. This legislative authority extends to establishing appropriate institutional machinery for conducting inspections and implementing quality control measures across different product categories and industries.
Under the provisions of this Act, the government possesses authority to mandate pre-shipment inspection for specified commodities before they can be cleared for export. This statutory power ensures that only products meeting prescribed quality benchmarks enter international markets bearing Indian origin. The legislation also provides for penalties and consequences for non-compliance, thereby creating enforceable quality standards rather than mere voluntary guidelines.
The Act incorporates flexibility to accommodate evolving trade requirements and changing international standards. Periodic amendments and regulatory modifications enable the quality control system to remain responsive to contemporary market demands and technological advancements in various sectors. This adaptive legislative framework has allowed Indian export quality control mechanisms to maintain relevance across decades of changing global trade dynamics.
Establishment and Functions of the Export Inspection Council
Section 3 of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 mandates the establishment of the Export Inspection Council (EIC) [2], which functions as the apex body responsible for monitoring and facilitating quality exports from India. The EIC operates under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and serves as the implementing authority for the statutory provisions relating to export quality control.
The Export Inspection Council’s mandate encompasses several critical functions that collectively ensure systematic quality assurance for Indian exports. The organization is responsible for formulating quality standards for export commodities, establishing inspection procedures and methodologies, accrediting inspection agencies and laboratories, maintaining surveillance over export quality through continuous monitoring, providing technical guidance to exporters regarding quality requirements, and coordinating with international standard-setting bodies to ensure alignment with global benchmarks.
The institutional structure of EIC reflects careful consideration of geographical coverage and administrative efficiency. The Council maintains its headquarters in Delhi and exercises oversight through a Chairman who provides policy direction. The Director of Inspection and Quality Control serves as the executive head responsible for operational management and daily functioning of the organization. This dual leadership structure separates strategic governance from operational execution, enabling both policy formulation and effective implementation.
Export Inspection Agencies: Regional Implementation Framework
The Export Inspection Council operates through five strategically located Export Inspection Agencies (EIA) established at Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Delhi, and Chennai [3]. This geographical distribution ensures accessibility for exporters across different regions of the country while maintaining consistent quality standards nationwide. Each EIA possesses specific territorial jurisdiction, enabling focused attention to regional export activities while ensuring uniformity in inspection standards and procedures.
The Mumbai EIA exercises jurisdiction over the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa, covering a significant portion of India’s western industrial and export infrastructure. The strategic positioning of these agencies reflects consideration of industrial clusters, port locations, and export concentration patterns. Each regional agency maintains sub-offices within its jurisdiction to extend services to exporters in smaller cities and industrial areas, creating a network of approximately 62 offices throughout the country.
Beyond the five primary Export Inspection Agencies, the EIC infrastructure includes specialized inspection facilities tailored to particular commodity groups. The system encompasses approximately 42 inspection agencies dedicated specifically to minerals and iron ore exports, recognizing the unique requirements and scale of mineral commodity exports. Additionally, 14 laboratories focused on food product testing provide scientific analysis capabilities for ensuring food safety and quality parameters essential for international food trade.
These inspection agencies operate under accreditation standards prescribed by international norms, particularly ISO 17020 for inspection bodies and ISO 17025 for testing and calibration laboratories [4]. This international standardization ensures that Indian export inspection services maintain credibility and acceptance in global markets. The accreditation provides assurance that inspection methodologies, equipment calibration, personnel competence, and reporting standards meet internationally recognized benchmarks.
Scope of Mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection
The regulatory framework for pre-shipment inspection extends to more than 1000 commodities categorized into various product groups requiring mandatory inspection before export [5]. This extensive coverage reflects the comprehensive approach adopted by Indian authorities to ensure quality across diverse export sectors. The commodities subject to compulsory inspection span multiple categories including food and agricultural products, fishery and marine products, minerals and mineral products, rubber and rubber products, ceramic products and tiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and textiles and garments.
The inclusion of specific commodities within the mandatory inspection regime follows a notification process whereby the Central Government, exercising powers under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, designates products requiring pre-shipment certification. These notifications specify the applicable quality standards, which may reference international standards such as Codex Alimentarius for food products, ISO standards for various manufactured goods, or specific requirements prescribed by major importing countries.
Certain sensitive product categories attract particularly stringent inspection requirements due to health, safety, or environmental considerations. Food products destined for export face rigorous inspection to ensure compliance with food safety standards, freedom from contamination, proper labeling, and adherence to destination country regulations. Similarly, pharmaceutical products undergo detailed examination to verify composition, purity, efficacy, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.
The mandatory inspection framework serves multiple policy objectives beyond quality assurance. It protects India’s reputation as a reliable supplier of quality products, prevents export of substandard goods that could damage market access, ensures compliance with international treaties and trade agreements, and safeguards consumer interests in importing countries. This comprehensive regulatory approach demonstrates government commitment to maintaining high standards in international trade.
Methods of Quality Control and Pre-Shipment Inspection
Consignment-Wise Inspection
The consignment-wise inspection method represents the traditional approach wherein each export consignment undergoes detailed examination by Export Inspection Agency personnel before shipment clearance. Under this system, goods prepared for export in their packed and labeled condition are subjected to systematic inspection based on statistically valid sampling plans. The inspection methodology employs principles of acceptance sampling, where representative samples are drawn from the consignment and examined against prescribed quality parameters.
The inspection process encompasses multiple dimensions including verification of product specifications against declared standards, assessment of physical quality parameters such as appearance, dimensions, and finish, checking for manufacturing defects or damage, confirmation of quantity accuracy through counting or weighing, validation of packaging adequacy for intended transportation, and examination of labeling for compliance with destination country requirements.
Upon satisfactory completion of inspection and confirmation that the goods conform to applicable quality standards, the Export Inspection Agency issues an inspection certificate. This certificate serves as official documentation that the consignment has been examined and found compliant with the prescribed norms. The certificate becomes an essential shipping document that must accompany the export consignment and is typically required for customs clearance at both export and import ends.
This inspection method proves particularly suitable for small and medium-sized manufacturers who lack internal quality control infrastructure and technical personnel for conducting comprehensive quality checks. By availing consignment-wise inspection services from EIA, such exporters gain access to professional inspection expertise and internationally credible certification without investing in their own testing facilities and quality control departments.
In-Process Quality Control (IPQC) for Export Worthy Units
The in-process quality control system represents a more advanced approach wherein manufacturing units with continuous production processes and established quality management systems receive recognition as “export worthy” status units. This designation enables such units to obtain inspection certificates based on their own quality control declarations rather than requiring consignment-wise external inspection for every export shipment.
Manufacturing units seeking export worthy recognition must demonstrate robust quality control practices integrated throughout their production processes. The quality assurance framework in such units typically encompasses quality control at the raw material procurement stage to ensure input quality, process control during manufacturing to maintain consistency, product control through in-line and end-of-line inspections, and packaging control to ensure protection during transportation and storage.
These units possess requisite infrastructure including quality control laboratories equipped with appropriate testing instruments, trained quality control personnel with technical competence, documented quality management systems with standard operating procedures, and regular calibration and maintenance programs for testing equipment. The comprehensive quality management approach ensures that quality is built into products during manufacturing rather than merely inspected afterward.
To secure recognition as an export worthy unit, manufacturers must submit formal applications to the concerned Export Inspection Agency demonstrating their quality control capabilities. The EIA conducts thorough evaluation including facility inspection, review of quality control systems, assessment of technical competence, and verification of testing capabilities. Upon satisfaction of prescribed criteria, the agency grants export worthy status, which remains valid subject to periodic surveillance and continued compliance with quality standards.
Self-Certification for Established Exporters
Self-certification represents the most advanced tier within the export quality control hierarchy, extending maximum autonomy to manufacturers who have demonstrated sustained commitment to quality and established strong market reputation. This facility operates on the principle that manufacturing units with demonstrated quality consciousness and robust internal systems should possess the privilege of certifying their own products for export without external inspection for each consignment.
Eligibility for self-certification status requires fulfillment of stringent criteria that go beyond the requirements for export worthy recognition. Applicant units must demonstrate established goodwill and positive track record in export markets, comprehensive quality control infrastructure including accredited laboratories, independent quality audit mechanisms ensuring objectivity in quality assessment, qualified technical personnel with requisite expertise, documented quality management systems certified to international standards such as ISO 9001, and sustained compliance history without significant quality failures or complaints.
The self-certification privilege carries financial obligations, with authorized units paying a nominal annual fee calculated at 0.1% of FOB (Free on Board) value of their exports, subject to a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh annually to the concerned Export Inspection Agency. This fee structure ensures that self-certification remains accessible to qualifying exporters while maintaining the administrative framework necessary for oversight and periodic evaluation.
Despite the autonomy granted through self-certification, such units remain subject to surveillance by the Export Inspection Council and its agencies. Random audits, periodic facility inspections, and market feedback monitoring ensure continued compliance with quality standards. Any deterioration in quality performance or serious complaints may result in suspension or withdrawal of self-certification privileges, thereby maintaining accountability within the system.
Certificate of Inspection: Documentation and Significance
Nature and Purpose of Inspection Certificates
The Certificate of Inspection, also termed pre-shipment certificate or inspection certificate, constitutes a critical trade document issued by accredited inspection bodies certifying that exported goods conform to specified quality standards and contractual terms. This document serves as independent third-party verification, providing assurance to buyers, customs authorities, and financial institutions that the merchandise has been examined and found compliant with applicable requirements.
The inspection certificate fulfills multiple functions within international trade transactions. It provides documented evidence of quality compliance for buyer satisfaction, facilitates customs clearance by demonstrating adherence to import regulations, supports financial transactions by assuring banks processing letters of credit that goods meet specifications, protects exporter interests by establishing that products were in satisfactory condition at the time of shipment, and enables quality traceability by documenting inspection parameters and results.
In certain trade scenarios, buyers explicitly require approved inspection certificates before accepting shipments from suppliers, particularly when dealing with new vendors or sourcing from regions where product quality concerns exist. The certificate serves as an independent quality verification mechanism, reducing buyer risk and building confidence in the transaction. This requirement reflects the trust deficit that can exist in international trade and the role of third-party certification in bridging that gap.
The legal status of inspection certificates derives from their recognition under trade agreements, customs regulations, and commercial contracts. Many countries incorporate inspection certificate requirements within their import regulations for specific product categories, making such certificates mandatory for customs clearance. Additionally, contracts between buyers and sellers frequently stipulate inspection certification as a contractual obligation, creating legal enforceability beyond regulatory requirements.
Types of Inspection Certificates
Commercial Inspection Certificates
Commercial inspection certificates are issued by independent inspection companies that possess technical competence and credibility recognized by both buyers and sellers in international trade transactions. These entities operate as neutral third parties, conducting inspections based on mutually agreed parameters specified in sales contracts or applicable standards. The commercial inspection industry includes numerous international and domestic organizations offering specialized inspection services across various product categories.
The process of obtaining commercial inspection certificates typically involves the seller engaging an agreed-upon inspection agency, providing product specifications and quality parameters to be verified, arranging for inspection at the manufacturing facility or port of loading, and facilitating agency access to the consignment for sampling and testing. Following thorough examination, the inspection agency issues a detailed certificate documenting the inspection methodology, test results, and compliance conclusions.
Commercial inspection certificates find particular application in private trade transactions where contractual terms specify independent verification requirements. Major commodity trades, bulk shipments, and transactions involving significant financial values frequently incorporate commercial inspection clauses to protect both parties’ interests. The independence and professional expertise of commercial inspection agencies provide credibility that internal quality certificates may lack in buyer perception.
Official Inspection Certificates
Official inspection certificates represent government-mandated documentation issued by designated authorities certifying compliance with regulatory requirements for specific product categories or destination countries. Unlike commercial certificates that primarily serve contractual functions, official certificates fulfill regulatory purposes and are typically required by the importing country’s customs or regulatory authorities as a precondition for entry clearance.
Numerous countries mandate official pre-shipment inspection certificates for imports of certain products, reflecting regulatory policies aimed at ensuring product safety, quality standards, and compliance with national regulations. Countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, India, and Indonesia require official inspection certificates for various product categories [6]. The specific products requiring such certification vary by country and reflect national priorities regarding consumer protection, health and safety, and technical standards.
In India, official inspection certificates for exports are issued exclusively by the Export Inspection Council and its designated agencies, ensuring standardization and government oversight of the certification process. The official nature of these certificates carries statutory authority under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, distinguishing them from commercial certificates issued by private entities. This official status provides enhanced credibility in regulatory contexts and ensures recognition by customs authorities in importing countries.
Certifications and Services Provided by Export Inspection Council
Quality Certification Through Multiple Pathways
The Export Inspection Council provides comprehensive quality certification services through various mechanisms tailored to different exporter categories and operational models. The multi-tiered certification approach enables exporters ranging from small manufacturers to large industrial units to access appropriate quality assurance services matching their capabilities and requirements. This inclusive framework ensures that quality standards are maintained across the export sector regardless of exporter size or sophistication.
Quality certification for general export goods employs the three primary methods previously discussed: consignment-wise examination for regular exporters without internal quality systems, in-process quality control certification for export worthy units with established quality management systems, and self-certification for highly qualified manufacturers with demonstrated quality track records. This graduated approach recognizes different levels of quality management maturity while maintaining overall quality standards.
For exportable food items, the EIC implements specialized certification based on Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) compliant with international guidelines such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and ISO 22000 standards for food safety management. Food export certification addresses unique considerations including microbiological safety, chemical contaminant limits, proper hygiene practices during production and handling, and traceability systems for food safety incidents. These specialized requirements reflect the heightened sensitivity surrounding food safety in international trade and stringent regulations imposed by major food-importing nations.
Health Certificates and Authenticity Verification
Beyond general quality certification, the Export Inspection Council issues specialized certificates addressing specific requirements of various export schemes and destination country regulations. Health certificates represent an important category, particularly for exports of animal products, plant materials, and food items that require veterinary or phytosanitary certification. These certificates attest to the health status of exported products and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures prescribed under international agreements such as the WTO’s SPS Agreement.
Authenticity certificates serve to verify the genuine nature of products, particularly for commodities where origin, variety, or composition significantly affects value or regulatory treatment. For example, certificates of authenticity may be issued for organic products confirming compliance with organic production standards, geographical indication products verifying origin from designated regions, traditional medicinal products attesting to composition and preparation methods, and specialized agricultural products where variety or grade significantly affects marketability.
Certificate of Origin Services
The Export Inspection Council also functions as an authorized agency for issuing Certificates of Origin, which constitute essential documents in international trade certifying the country where goods were manufactured or produced. Certificates of Origin serve multiple purposes including determination of applicable customs duties under preferential trade agreements, enforcement of trade policy measures such as anti-dumping duties or import restrictions, and compliance with destination country labeling or marking requirements [7].
Certificates of Origin are issued through various schemes depending on the applicable trade agreement or requirement. Preferential Certificates of Origin are issued under free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements that India has concluded with various countries and regional blocs, enabling exporters to benefit from reduced or zero customs duties in partner countries. Non-preferential Certificates of Origin certify Indian origin without specific duty benefits but fulfill general documentation requirements of importing countries.
The issuance of Certificates of Origin follows prescribed procedures requiring exporters to submit applications with supporting documentation establishing the origin of goods. The EIC examines applications based on rules of origin criteria specified in relevant agreements, which typically require substantial transformation of materials within India or minimum value addition thresholds. Upon satisfaction of origin requirements, the certificate is issued facilitating duty benefits or compliance with importing country regulations.
Legal Basis for Inspection and Certification Activities
The Export Inspection Council conducts its inspection and certification activities based on clear legal authority and specific justifications that fall within several recognized categories. Understanding these legal foundations helps exporters and stakeholders appreciate the mandatory or voluntary nature of different certification requirements and the consequences of non-compliance where applicable.
The primary legal basis for mandatory inspection arises when the Central Government has issued specific notifications under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, designating particular commodities for compulsory pre-shipment inspection. Such notifications constitute statutory instruments that create legally binding obligations on exporters of notified commodities to obtain inspection certification before export clearance. Failure to comply with mandatory inspection requirements can result in export refusal, penalties, or other enforcement actions.
Another significant basis for inspection occurs when international buyers explicitly stipulate inspection requirements as contractual terms in purchase orders or supply agreements. While such requirements arise from commercial contracts rather than regulatory mandates, they create contractual obligations that exporters must fulfill to complete transactions and receive payment. Commercial inspection requirements often reflect buyer quality assurance policies, risk management practices, or internal procurement procedures.
Inspection requirements may also originate from the regulations of importing countries, which frequently specify quality standards, testing requirements, or certification documentation that must accompany imported goods. Exporting to such countries necessitates compliance with their import regulations, making inspection certification a practical necessity for market access regardless of Indian regulatory requirements. The EIC facilitates compliance with such destination country requirements by aligning its inspection standards and certification formats with internationally recognized norms.
Finally, inspection and certification may be undertaken based on voluntary decisions by exporters who seek independent quality verification to enhance their market credibility, differentiate their products through quality certification, meet customer expectations even when not contractually mandated, or establish systematic quality management practices within their organizations. Voluntary certification leverages EIC expertise and credibility to strengthen market positioning and buyer confidence.
Significance of Export Inspection in Trade Facilitation
The comprehensive export inspection and certification system implemented through the Export Inspection Council serves multiple strategic purposes that extend beyond individual transactions to impact India’s overall trade performance and international reputation. The primary significance lies in ensuring that Indian exports consistently meet international quality expectations, thereby protecting and enhancing the country’s reputation as a reliable supplier of quality products.
Quality assurance through systematic inspection mitigates several risks inherent in international trade. For exporters, certification provides documented evidence of quality compliance, reducing the probability of shipment rejection, disputes over product specifications, and financial losses from returned goods. This risk reduction is particularly valuable for small and medium enterprises that may lack resources to absorb losses from quality failures or disputes.
From a national perspective, the export inspection system supports broader trade policy objectives including maintaining market access in quality-sensitive markets, facilitating compliance with international standards and agreements, building confidence among international buyers in Indian products, and creating a quality culture within the export sector that drives continuous improvement. These systemic benefits contribute to sustained export growth and diversification into high-value markets with stringent quality requirements.
The inspection and certification framework also plays an important role in import quality control. For imports of certain categories such as metallic waste and scrap, Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates issued by recognized agencies are mandatory for customs clearance [8]. This reciprocal application of inspection requirements ensures that imported materials meet environmental and safety standards, protecting domestic interests while maintaining consistency in quality assurance approaches for international trade.
Contemporary Developments and Digital Transformation
The export inspection and certification system continues evolving in response to technological advancements and changing trade requirements. Significant modernization has occurred through digital transformation initiatives that enable online application submission, electronic certificate issuance, integration with customs clearance systems, and real-time tracking of inspection status. These digital capabilities enhance efficiency, reduce processing time, and improve transparency in certification processes.
The Export Inspection Council has implemented digital platforms for various certification services, including an online system for Certificate of Origin applications and issuance. The Common Digital Platform (CDP) operated at coo.dgft.gov.in provides integrated services for multiple preferential trade agreements and arrangements [9]. This digital infrastructure enables exporters to submit applications electronically, track processing status, receive electronic certificates, and maintain digital records of their certification history.
Integration with the broader digital trade infrastructure including customs EDI systems, port community systems, and trade facilitation platforms creates seamless information flow across various stages of export processes. Such integration reduces documentation burden on exporters, minimizes processing delays, and enables risk-based facilitation where compliant exporters with good track records receive expedited clearances. The digital transformation represents a significant evolution from paper-based processes toward modern trade facilitation aligned with international best practices.
Challenges and Areas for Continued Development
Despite the comprehensive framework established through the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, and the institutional infrastructure created around the Export Inspection Council, several challenges persist that require ongoing attention and policy interventions. One significant challenge involves capacity constraints, particularly during peak export seasons when inspection demand may exceed available resources at Export Inspection Agencies. Addressing capacity issues requires continued investment in infrastructure, technology, and human resources.
Another area requiring attention involves harmonization with international standards and recognition agreements. While Indian inspection and certification systems are based on international norms such as ISO 17020 and ISO 17025, achieving formal mutual recognition agreements with major trading partners remains an ongoing process. Such agreements would enable Indian certificates to receive automatic acceptance in partner countries without additional verification, thereby reducing transaction costs and time for exporters.
The need for continued capacity building among small and medium enterprises represents another important consideration. Many smaller exporters struggle with understanding quality requirements, implementing quality management systems, and navigating the certification process. Enhanced outreach, training programs, and simplified procedures for SMEs could help broader segments of the export community benefit from quality certification systems and improve their competitiveness.
Keeping pace with emerging product categories, new technologies, and evolving international standards requires continuous updating of inspection methodologies and certification criteria. Areas such as e-commerce exports, digital products, and sustainability certifications present new frontiers where traditional inspection approaches may need adaptation. Developing appropriate frameworks for such emerging areas will ensure the inspection system remains relevant and supportive of evolving export patterns.
Conclusion
The pre-shipment inspection and certification system established under India’s legal and institutional framework represents a critical component of the country’s export promotion strategy and quality assurance infrastructure. The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, provides comprehensive statutory authority for implementing systematic quality control measures, while the Export Inspection Council and its network of agencies deliver professional inspection services across diverse product categories and geographical regions.
The multi-tiered approach encompassing consignment-wise inspection, export worthy status, and self-certification accommodates different levels of quality management maturity among exporters while maintaining overall quality standards. This flexibility enables participation by enterprises of all sizes while incentivizing development of internal quality systems through graduated privileges and recognition. The system successfully balances regulatory oversight with facilitation of trade, ensuring quality standards without creating unnecessary procedural barriers.
Looking forward, continued evolution of the inspection and certification framework in response to technological changes, new trade agreements, and emerging product categories will be essential for maintaining its effectiveness and relevance. Digital transformation initiatives, capacity building programs, and international recognition efforts represent important areas for ongoing development. Through sustained commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement of the inspection system, India can strengthen its position in international markets and support the growth aspirations of its export sector.
The comprehensive nature of India’s export inspection framework, combining statutory authority, institutional infrastructure, and flexible implementation approaches, provides a strong foundation for ensuring that Indian exports consistently meet international quality expectations. This quality assurance system ultimately serves the interests of exporters seeking market access and reputation protection, buyers requiring reliable product quality, and the nation’s broader economic objectives of export growth and trade diversification.
References
[1] Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, India Code, https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1591
[2] Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Export Inspection Council, Government of India, https://www.commerce.gov.in/about-us/autonomous-bodies/export-inspection-council-of-india-eic/
[3] Export Inspection Council of India, Welcome Page, Government of India, https://www.eicindia.gov.in/
[4] International Organization for Standardization, ISO/IEC 17020:2012 – Conformity Assessment, https://www.iso.org/standard/52994.html
[5] IndiaFilings, Export Quality Control and Inspection Act, https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/export-quality-control-and-inspection-act/
[6] Food Safety Standard, Export (Quality Control & Inspection) Act, 1963, https://foodsafetystandard.in/export-quality-control-inspection-act/
[7] Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin, https://coo.dgft.gov.in
[8] IndiaFilings, DGFT Clarification on Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC), https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/dgft-clarification-on-pre-shipment-inspection-certificate-psic/
[9] Food Safety Standard, Export Inspection Council (EIC)/Export Inspection Agency (EIA), https://foodsafetystandard.in/eic-eia/
Authorized by – Dhrutika Barad
