EU Aims to Simplify Quality Control Certification in Trade Agreement
EU Pursues Streamlined Certification in Talks with India
During ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, the European Union (EU) is advocating for a more straightforward certification process under India’s Quality Control Orders (QCOs). In the most recent round of discussions, which took place last month, the two parties delved into the QCOs for the first time. While detailed text discussions were absent, Indian officials shed light on various procedural elements and areas for potential enhancements.
Proposals to Enhance Certification Efficiency
To facilitate easier certification processes for QCOs, India may consider the option of accepting online applications and granting accreditation to EU Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). Since the enactment of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act in 2017, over 187 QCOs applicable to 769 different products have been mandated for compulsory certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), enforced by various ministries and regulators. Both domestic manufacturers and foreign importers need to obtain BIS certification for their products to be sold in India. Furthermore, the manufacturing sites themselves must also undergo a certification process.
Progress in Negotiations
In the recent 11th round of negotiations, five out of the 23 chapters mapped out for the FTA were successfully concluded. Topics addressed included transparency, good regulatory practices, customs and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, and mutual administrative assistance. An agreement on the text for the dispute settlement chapter was reached, barring one outstanding issue. Extensive discussions on intellectual property rights were held, highlighting general provisions, copyright, protection of undisclosed information, enforcement of rights, including border measures, and cooperative strategies.
Timeline and Future Engagements
With a target to finalize the FTA negotiations by the end of 2025, the next set of talks is anticipated to occur in Brussels in July. In the interim, both sides are actively engaged in virtual and in-person discussions covering a broad array of topics. Political engagement has significantly increased as well, with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently meeting with European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic three times within a 40-day span and engaging with trade ministers from key EU member nations.
Context of Ongoing Trade Agreements
The negotiations for the FTA with the EU have been underway since 2022. Recently, India concluded an FTA with the UK and signed a similar agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) last year. Securing a trade agreement with the EU would substantially enhance India’s preferential trade access to all of Europe.
