The union commerce ministry has entrusted the Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) to consult the industry organisations and deal the growing technical barriers to trade (TBT) notifications by different countries that would affect the exports from India, including the pharmaceutical products.

The World Trade Organisation has forwarded such notifications from the different countries to India for information and the EIC in turn have asked the industry bodies to file their responses immediately for further follow-up, it is learnt.

One of the notifications is from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of USA. The agency is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the 14 glymes identified in this proposed rule. This action would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.

Another such notification is from Thailand on hazardous substances. Their Ministry of Industry has withdrawn a list of hazards substances, use of which remains under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture, but are used even for Ayurvedic formulations. Non-chemically processed product from parts of plant used for preventing, eradicating, controlling insects, weeds, plant disease, or for plant growing control, namely neem, citronella, curcuma, ginger, galangal, marigold, bitter bush, tea seed cake, chili, celery, ringworm bush, climbing lily and Stemona tuberosa Lour are in this list.

The EIC has asked the associations to send their comments on whether such notifications were in accordance with the international standards, and whether these requirements were trade restrict in nature etc. “Are they stricter than International Standards than necessary to meet the legitimate objectives of:  Protection of human health or safety, protection of animal or plant life or health, protection of environment, and prevention of deceptive practices? Are these scientifically justified?” the EIC communication said.