The Union Commerce Ministry has decided to make the proposed 'certification scheme' for the ayurveda, sidda and unani exporters voluntary for one year after which the ministry will assess the scheme to make it mandatory for exporting these products.

Earlier, the ministry's proposal had evoked stiff resistance from the ayurveda industry which termed the scheme as introduction of yet another inspection agency and would increase the time and cost for the products being exported from the country.

According to sources in the Union Commerce Ministry, a decision to this effect was taken at a recent meeting chaired by joint secretary, commerce ministry, Rajiv Kher. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the department of Ayush.

As per the decision, the ministry will soon issue a notification making the certification scheme voluntary for the exporters of ayurveda, sidda and unani (ASU) for one year. During this one year, the ASU exporters will be free to use the certification scheme to prove their quality standards. If they wish to use the certification scheme they can use it or they can use their own mechanism to ensure quality standards.

During this one year period, the ministry will review the scheme and also carry out random sampling and surveys on the quality of ASU products which are being exported from the country. The ministry will assess the situation and watch the trend in the exporting before taking final decision on the implementation of the controversial scheme after one year.

When contacted Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Association (ADMA) general secretary Ranjith Puranik said, "It is good that the industry's concerns have been addressed by the government".

Earlier the Union Commerce Ministry had issued a draft notification for the certification scheme, inviting expert comments from all the stake holders on the scheme and its viability. The purpose of the scheme was to help the ASU exporters to overcome the problems arising out of the objections by some countries on the quality of the products.

As per the proposal, the ASU exporters have to route their products through Export Inspection Council (EIC). The ASU exporters should get their each and every consignment tested from the EIC-approved laboratories before exporting the same to different countries. After testing the products at these EIC labs, the ASU exporters have to enclose the certificate for getting clearance from the customs officers and the zonal drug controllers for exporting their products.

The ASU exporters in India are in deep trouble as several countries have taken objection on the India products on the ground that they contain toxic materials like heavy metals, pesticide residues, microbial contents and aflotoxins above the acceptable limits. These substances are considered unsafe for health, if it is more than the permissible limits. These findings had an adverse effect on the ASU exporters in the country.