The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued Trade Notice No. 18/2025–26 on November 25, 2025, seeking information on export-related Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs), testing, and certification requirements. This initiative aligns with the Export Promotion Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 and aims to support the development of the “Support for Export Quality & Technical Compliance” program. DGFT plans to map both mandatory and voluntary NTMs across global markets, including inspections, audits, labelling norms, and other regulatory compliance conditions applicable to Indian exports. Exporters, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and trade associations are requested to provide detailed information on certifications, sector applicability, costs, validity, and recognized labs within seven days through an online form. Non-submission may affect the prioritization of NTMs in the database and could influence future policy support. This exercise is designed to build a comprehensive and actionable database to facilitate export compliance and quality assurance initiatives.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Date: 25.11.2025
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 18/2025-26
To,
1. All Exporters/Members of Trade & Industry
2. All Export Promotion Councils & Commodity Boards
3. Other Stakeholders & Trade and Industry Associations
Subject: Collection of Information on Export-Related Non-Tariff Measures, Testing and Certification Requirements – regarding.
Reference is invited to the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. As part of designing the Support for Export Quality & Technical Compliance, the Directorate General of Foreign is undertaking a comprehensive mapping of mandatory and voluntary Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs), including certifications, testing requirements, inspections, audits, labelling norms, and other regulatory compliance conditions applicable to Indian exports across global markets.
2. To build an accurate and actionable database, exporters, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and Industry Associations are requested to furnish information on relevant NTMs and certification requirements, including (but not limited to):
- Name and nature of the certification/inspection/testing
- Whether mandatory or voluntary
- Sector(s) affected
- Approximate cost and validity
- Country/region where applicable
- List of recognised labs or certifying bodies
- Any additional compliance challenges faced
3. Inputs must be submitted within 7 days of issuance of this Trade Notice through the online form at: https://forms.gle/9e1XmB2vLGftAhmt5
4. It is clarified that non-submission may result in the relevant certifications or NTMs not being prioritised in the creation of the database, which may consequently affect future support measures proposed under the Export Promotion Mission or other interventions.
This Trade Notice is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Bharani VLSVSS
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
(Issued from F.No. 01/02/33/AM-26/EPM)
