The Union commerce ministry has fixed specification limits for heavy metal contents in ayurvedic, unani and sidha products in the draft Export of Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha (AYUS) (Quality Control, Inspection and monitoring) Rules, 2007, it is learnt. The move is towards finalisation of export certification scheme for these products.

The specification limits have been fixed for four materials namely heavy metals, pesticides residual, microbial content and afflatoxins. The specification under the proposal would possibly be recognised as standard specification for AYUS products. According to the Pharmexcil, the notification on this subject is likely to be issued by the ministry soon.

Under specifications for heavy metals, the permissible limit for lead content is 10 particles per million (ppm), cadium-0.30 ppm, arsenic -3 ppm, and mercury-1 ppm. Pesticides residues limit have been specified at 0.01 ppm for quinolphos, 1.00 ppm for sum of DDE+DDT+DDD, 0.05 ppm for sum of alderin+dieldrin, 0.03 ppm for hexa chloro cyclophexane (HCH), 0.10 ppm for hexa clhoro benxene, 0.02 ppm for alchlor, 0.60 ppm for lindane, 0.05 ppm for chlordane and 3.00 ppm for endosulfan and its isomers. The permissible limits for aflatoxins are 5.00 particles per billion (ppb) for B1 and 10.0 ppb for sum of B1+G1+B2+G2. Whereas the microbial contamination of staphylococcus aureau per gram, salmonella sp/10 gram, pseudomonas aeruginosa and E.coli /10 g should be absent in the product.

Meanwhile Pharmexcil is organising an open house session on the proposed 'export certification scheme' for ayurvedic, unani, and siddha (AYUS) products on August 10 in Mumbai. This will be followed by similar sessions in Bangalore, Cochin and Delhi successively.

The session has been planned to sensitise the stakeholders of the alternative medicine fraternity as well as to invite suggestions on the proposal. Pharmexcil has urged its members to actively participate in view of consignment wise certification for the products to be exported.

The programme is jointly organised by Pharmexcil, Export Inspection Council (EIC) and Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Association (ADMA). senior officials from Dept., of AYUSH are also expected to participate.