The Central Government of India has recently finalized the procedure for exporting certified organic products. This includes mandatory certification under the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic products being shipped abroad. The key points of the new procedure are:
Mandatory Certification: Exporters must obtain a certificate from the competent authority under the NPOP for the shipment of organic products. The certificate verifies that the product complies with organic standards.
Transaction Certificate Requirement: In addition to the NPOP certificate, exporters must attach a transaction certificate (TC) with the shipment documents. This certificate must be issued by a certification body accredited by the National Accreditation Organization, ensuring the organic status of the product.
Compliance with NPOP Standards: The exported organic products must adhere to NPOP guidelines in terms of production, processing, packaging, and labeling. These standards ensure that the products meet international organic certification requirements.
Target for Exports: The Government of India aims to boost organic food exports to $2 billion annually by 2030. This policy is seen as a step towards achieving this ambitious goal.
APEDA's Role: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has amended the NPOP regulations, especially in response to issues raised concerning organic rice. The revised regulations aim to make the certification process more farmer-friendly and encourage the export of a wider range of organic food products.
Validity: The new procedure, which was notified on January 5, will be in effect for 180 days, during which exporters must comply with these revised guidelines.
This policy marks a significant effort to strengthen India’s position in the global organic food market.