The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a clarification regarding the export of “Organic Textiles,” responding to inquiries from exporters and the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). Following the notification of the Eighth Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) on January 5, 2025, questions arose concerning its applicability to organic textile exports. The Department of Commerce consulted the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the implementing body for NPOP. APEDA clarified that the NPOP’s scope of accreditation, as per Clause 4.1 of Chapter 4, is limited to specific categories such as crop production, livestock, food processing, and aquaculture, among others. Crucially, organic textiles are not included within these prescribed accreditation categories. Therefore, the requirement for a Transaction Certificate (TC) from a NAB-accredited body under the NPOP Public Notice does not apply to organic textile product exports. For such exports, businesses must instead provide a valid TC issued by certification bodies designated by Textile Exchange, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), or as otherwise required by the buyer.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Policy Circular No. 1/2025-26 – DGFT | Dated: 15 July 2025
To,
1. All Regional Authorities of DGFT
2. All Customs Commissionerates
3. Members of Trade & Industry
Subject: Clarification regarding Export of “Organic Textiles” – regarding.
Sir/Madam,
Reference is invited to the Public Notice No. 39/2024-25 dated January 05, 2025 whereby the Eighth Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) was notified.
2. In this regard, requests for clarification have been received from various stakeholders including exporters and Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) regarding applicability of the said Public Notice on the exports of organic textiles.
2.1. The matter has been taken up with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which is implementing the NPOP under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
3. APEDA has clarified that as per Clause 4.1 of Chapter 4 of the said edition, the scope of accreditation is limited to specific categories, namely:
i. Crop Production
ii. Livestock, Poultry and Products
iii. Beekeeping / Apiculture
iv. Aquaculture Production
v. Food Processing & Handling
vi. Animal Feed Processing & Handling
vii. Mushroom Production
viii. Seaweed, Aquatic Plants and Greenhouse crop production, and,
ix. Any other categories as approved under the NPOP from time to time.
3.1. In view of the above, it has been highlighted that organic textiles do not fall within the ambit of accreditation categories prescribed under the NPOP. Therefore, the requirement of a Transaction Certificate (TC) from a NAB-accredited body under the said Public Notice does not apply to exports of Organic textile products.
4. It may further be noted that for exports of organic textiles, the exporters need to furnish a valid Transaction certificate (TC) issued by the certification bodies designated through Textile Exchange, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or as mandated by the buyer(s) at the time of export.
This Circular is issued with the approval of competent authority.
(Pratibha Kumari)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
E-mail: pratibha.kumari@nic.in
Tel: 011-2303 8759
(Issued from F. No. 01/91/171/009/AM23/EC-31782)
