The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has relaxed the export and import norms for all medical and surgical items that do not come under the purview of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The traders of such items can now apply for the grant of a free sale and commerce certificate with the DGFT.

According to a recent notification, DGFT has amended section 2.50 of the Handbook of Procedures to clarify that DGFT may also issue, on application, free sale and commerce certificate for export of items not covered under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which have usage in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, etc. for medical and surgical purposes and are not prohibited for export. The notification circulated among all licensing authorities and commissioners of customs mentions that the validity of such certificate shall be two years from the date of issue unless otherwise specified.