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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has initiated a focused, time-bound exercise to gather crucial information on mandatory and voluntary Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) applicable to Indian pharma exports across global markets. These include certifications, testing requirements, inspections, audits, labelling norms, and other regulatory compliance conditions.
This marks a significant step under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.
Pharma exporters, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), industry associations, and other stakeholders have been urged to submit detailed inputs on a wide spectrum of export-related regulatory requirements.
The initiative aims to build a comprehensive and actionable database that will support the design of the government’s new programme called as Support for Export Quality and Technical Compliance, intended to help Indian pharma products meet global standards more effectively.
According to DGFT, stakeholders have been asked to furnish information on relevant Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and certification requirements, including name and nature of the certification/inspection/testing, whether mandatory or voluntary, sector affected, approximate cost and validity, country/region where applicable, list of recognised labs or certifying bodies and any additional compliance challenges faced.
All inputs must be provided online within seven days of the notice’s issuance. The DGFT has cautioned that failure to furnish information may lead to certain NTMs or certifications being deprioritised in the final database, potentially affecting future support measures proposed under the EPM or other interventions.
This initiative underscores the government’s push to streamline export processes, enhance quality compliance, and strengthen India’s position in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.
The DGFT had earlier this year in June announced the nationwide rollout of the ‘Source from India’ feature on the Trade Connect ePlatform (www.trade.gov.in) for all status holder exporters. Following this, the DGFT has also amended the eligibility criteria of pharma exporters for availing the "Source from India" facility of Trade Connect online platform. This is aimed to facilitate genuine pharma exporters to trade seamlessly.
As per DGFT, with effect from November 1, 2025, all valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) that is not on the Denied Entity List (DEL) fulfilling a minimum export realisation of USD 100,000 in at least one of the previous three financial years at the time of application will now be eligible to create their microsites on Source from India, in addition to Status Holders. It may be noted that the DGFT electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) database will serve as the sole reference point for realisation data and will determine eligibility based on aggregate eBRC value available on a financial year basis.
With reference Para 1.07 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), the DGFT has implemented an enhanced eBRC system. This more streamlined process is based on electronic Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) to be transmitted directly by banks to DGFT. Based on the IRMs received, the exporters shall self-certify their eBRCs.
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