The EU has proposed measures such as online application and accreditation of EU compliance assessment organizations | Photo credit: Pakin Jarendee
The EU wants India facilitating its quality control control system (QCO) within the framework of the Indian Free Trade Agreement (ALE) of India (ALE) and has proposed measures such as online application and accreditation of EU compliance assessment organizations in the current negotiations.
Experts, however, point out that the accreditation authorization can lead to more interference by foreign compliance assessment organizations, which is avoidable.
“The 12th cycle of negotiations is expected to take place in Brussels in early July, but an intensive intersessional commitment will take place in advance, both practically and in person, on a range of subjects, while new discussions will also take place at the political level,” according to an EU report.
The two parties also hope to have more clarity in a number of other areas, such as market access, government purchases and DPIs. India and the EU want the FTA to be finalized by the end of the year, but several sticky problems remain.
On the question of QCOS, the EU noted that the 11th round in May allowed the first time an in -depth commitment on the EU proposal to soften the certification process within the framework of the regime. “Although no detailed discussion can take place on the text during the Tour, the negotiators have clarified certain procedural aspects and the areas where certain improvements could be taken into account, that is to say an online application, the accreditation of EU compliance assessment organizations (CAB),” said the EU report. Emphasis is on cars and car parts and pharmaceutical products, he added.
The EU has several times in the past, raised concerns concerning the WTO concerning the growing number of Qcos issued by India in sectors such as toys, tires, car parts, chemicals, pharmaceutical products and petrochemical products. He had alleged that many of them were protectionist nature.
India had argued that members like the EU had many stricter standards in place which must be respected by all those who sell in their markets. He said that the country was inspired by the developed world to offer product standards in important sectors, to improve the quality of products produced at national level and also prevent lower quality imports.
Covering a product under QCO obliges compliance with a specified Indian standard (SI), obtaining a valid license (from the Bureau of Indian Standards) and the implementation of the standard brand on covered products, before providing the Indian market.
Foreign sellers complain about challenges to meet the requirements of quality control orders (QCO) due to factors such as the complexity of the certification process, the need for physical verification and inspections, and the time required for registration and approval.
“The accreditation of the EU cabins, as proposed by the EU, will imply more interference on their part, in particular the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The Indian pharmaceutical products industry will then have two bosses, the American FDA, which is already doing the FDA and EMA standards. for social development.
Posted on June 11, 2025
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