What is EIC Health Certificate? And Importance of a Health Certificate for Export from India

Introduction

The Government of India has devised a mechanism for issuing Health Certificates to certify the quality of food commodities. The Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) issues health certificates on a consignment-by-consignment basis as part of this scheme. A health certificate verifies that a food product is appropriate for human consumption and complies with all applicable safety and export regulations. In this essay, we’ll take a closer look at the Health Certificate for Food Export. This article will walk you through the necessary information on Health Certificate for Export from India.

What is EIC Health Certificate?

The Export Inspection Council (EIC) is India’s official export certification agency, ensuring the quality and safety of goods leaving the country. The Export Quality Control and Inspection Commission was established by the Government of India under Section 3 of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, to ensure the sound development of India’s export trade through quality control and inspection, as well as matters related to it. The purpose of the EIC is to guarantee that products notified under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act 1963 meet the quality and safety criteria of importing countries.

Importance of a Health Certificate for Export from India

Each export consignment is submitted to mandatory microbiological and other tests by the Government laboratory and must be accompanied by a Health Certificate, according to the Government of India’s Export and Import Policy. The significance of a health certificate in export and import transactions is detailed below:

• A health certificate certifies that the exporting country’s government has evaluated this particular consignment of products.

• This certificate also certifies that the food, whether of animal or non-animal origin, that is being exported is safe to eat.

• The health certificate is proof that the food consignment was manufactured according to the relevant food legislation.

• This certificate verifies that the food consignment was made by one of the authorized manufacturing facilities.

Trade Business that requires EIC Health Certificate

• For consignments of Marine Products (Fish and Collagen) intended for export to the European Union solely, the European Union has approved seafood processing organizations.

• Approved seafood processing companies from the European Union and non-EU nations for consignments of marine products intended for export to Russia, the People’s Republic of China, Iran, and other non-EU countries.

• For consignments of Animal Casings destined for export to the European Union, EU-approved processing enterprises are required. Exporters of peanut products to the EU and Malaysia are also required.

• Non-Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) certification exporters.

• Under the voluntary food certification scheme, approved processors and exporters.

Related Read: How to start Import Export Business in the US?

For consignments that meet the following criteria, a health certificate will be issued:

• Country criteria for importing.

• Buyers’ specifications.

• National norms that are relevant.

Documents required for Health Certificate for Export from India 

For the issuance of the Health Certificate for Export of Food Products consignment, the exporter must provide the following documents:

• Request for the issuance of a health certificate.

• Invoice Copies.

• a copy of the purchase order letter of credit and a bank draught for the necessary fee.

• EIA labs or EIC authorized labs to give test reports for food products intended for export.

• Test report from an EIA-approved unit, according to the norms of the importing country or the National Standard Contractual Specification agreed upon by the importer and exporter.

Procedure for acquiring Health Certificate for Export of Meat Products 

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) provides a service to registered processing enterprises that allows them to apply for a Health Certificate for each export consignment of meat products via the Meat.Net Online System.

• A one-time Username and Password will be supplied to the firm upon registration with APEDA in order to apply for a Health Certificate for an export consignment of beef products.

• The registered processing establishment can submit the application form online and then go to the State Animal Husbandry Office where the unit is located to obtain the health certificate, together with the required fee, copies of the invoice, packing list, and test reports.

• The State Animal Husbandry Office’s veterinarians will process the Health Certificate application and provide the certificate.

Procedure for acquiring Health Certificate for Export of Marine Products

Online applications for the original Health Certificate are available. A manual application must be submitted for an in-lieu or duplicate certificate. The following is a step-by-step guide to obtaining an original health certificate for the export of food products:

• The exporter must get a one-time Username and Password from the concerned EIA office in order to obtain the Health Certificate for the Export of Food Products.

• EIA will get the User name and Password from EIC upon receipt of the request, which will be given to the exporter through email id.

• The merchant exporter must complete a one-time registration on the EIC health certification system’s official website. The username and password will be emailed to the address provided.

• When a health certificate is necessary, the approved exporter must fill out an application form online using the User Name and Password.

How to Access E-health Certificate System

• Using the login details, all processing establishments or merchant exporters can access the e-health certification system. The applicant can then fill out the application form after logging in.

• The application of the processing establishment will be forwarded to the EIA’s nearest office. The merchant exporter has the option of submitting an application to any EIA office of their choice.

• The system will create an application reference number after the exporter submits the application form, which the exporter can use in future interactions with the applicable EIA office.

• The EIA officer in charge of the application will process it and issue the original health certificate for food export.

Note: Until the approval expires, licensed enterprises can use the health certification service. The login and password will be automatically disabled and will be reactivated after the approval is renewed.

• The exporter must go to the concerned EIA office with the required fee and paperwork to obtain the original health certificate.

FAQs on Health Certificate for Health Certificate from India

1. What is the Validity of a Health Certificate for Export of Food Products?

From the date of issuance, the Health Certificate will be valid for 90 days.

2. Who is the Prescribed Authority for assigning Health certificates?

For the granting of the Health Certificate, the Export Inspection Council is the designated authority. After the consignment has been confirmed to meet the necessary conditions, the EIC or its sub-office will issue a health certificate.

3. What products are covered under the EIC Health Certificate?

EHCs are awarded for things like:

• Fish and fishing-related products

• Products containing dairy eggs

• Meat and its derivatives

• Honey and Poultry products

4. How can I get a duplicate Health Certificate?

The applicant who wishes to obtain a duplicate Health Certificate for Food Product Export must submit an application in the prescribed format, along with all required documents and fees, to the Export Inspection Agency’s nearest Head Office/Sub-Office, whose jurisdiction the exporting unit falls under.