Amendment in Export Policy of Guar Gum

## Report on Amendment to Export Policy of Guar Gum **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification amending the export policy for Guar Gum, specifically Notification No. 31/2015-20 dated 29.09.2017. The core purpose of this amendment is to replace the requirement of a Health Certificate with an Official Certificate for Guar Gum exports to the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK). Key findings indicate that this change aims to streamline the export process by altering the certification requirements and specifying the authorized bodies for issuing the required certificates and analytical reports. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide information regarding an amendment to the export policy of Guar Gum, as detailed in the provided government notification. This analysis focuses on the specific changes introduced by the amendment and their potential implications for affected stakeholders. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report concerns an amendment to the existing Notification No. 31/2015-20 dated 29.09.2017, which itself relates to the export of Guar Gum under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020. * The core objective of this *amendment*, as inferred from the provided text, is to *facilitate the export of Guar Gum to the European Union and the United Kingdom* by changing the type of certification required. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment likely aims to address perceived inefficiencies or barriers related to the previous requirement for a Health Certificate. The change to an "Official Certificate" may suggest a shift towards a standardized or streamlined certification process, potentially reducing delays or costs associated with exporting Guar Gum to the EU and UK. The text explicitly states this change replaces the health certificate. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendment: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment directly modifies the export conditions related to Sl. No. 89 of Chapter 13, Schedule 2 of ITC HS Export Policy, 2018, specifically pertaining to treated and pulverized Guar Gum (ITC HS Code 1302 32 30) originating in or consigned from India and intended for animal or human consumption in the EU and UK. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment states that exports of Guar Gum to the EU and UK will now be "allowed subject to issuance of Official Certificate in place of Health Certificate with immediate effect." Furthermore, the official certificate must be issued by an authorized representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, specifically the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), Kolkata. This certificate must be accompanied by analytical reports for Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and Ethylene Oxide (ETO). * **Difference/Effect of the Change:** The key change is the *replacement of the Health Certificate requirement with an Official Certificate*. The implication is a potentially different process for certification and potentially a different certifying body (SHEFEXIL) being primarily responsible. The text stipulates what tests and limits the certificate must also reference. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders affected by this amendment include: * Guar Gum exporters in India who export to the European Union and the United Kingdom. * The Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), Kolkata, as the designated issuing authority for the Official Certificate. * Vimta Labs (Hyderabad) and Export Inspection Agency (EIA) Labs (Chennai and Mumbai) which are authorized to provide the required analytical reports for PCP and ETO testing. * The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, overseeing the export policy. * Consumers (both animal and human) in the EU and UK who consume products containing Guar Gum originating from India. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), Kolkata is responsible for issuing the Official Certificate. Vimta Labs (Hyderabad) and EIA Labs (Chennai and Mumbai) are responsible for conducting the PCP and ETO tests and providing the analytical reports. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment is effective "with immediate effect," indicating immediate applicability. The notification indicates that exporters will need to obtain an Official Certificate from SHEFEXIL, Kolkata, accompanied by the required analytical reports from the designated labs before exporting Guar Gum to the EU and UK. * **Changes to Implementation:** Exporters will no longer need to obtain a Health Certificate. They will need to engage with SHEFEXIL and the designated labs for the new certification and testing requirements. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to streamline and potentially expedite the export process for Guar Gum to the EU and UK. This could lead to: * Reduced bureaucratic hurdles for exporters. * Potentially lower costs associated with certification, depending on the fees charged for the Official Certificate and required testing. * Enhanced trade relations between India and the EU/UK regarding Guar Gum exports. * Ensuring the safety and quality of Guar Gum exports through PCP and ETO testing requirements, ultimately protecting consumer health in the EU and UK. **9. Conclusion:** This amendment to the export policy of Guar Gum represents a significant change in the certification requirements for exports to the EU and UK, replacing the Health Certificate with an Official Certificate issued by SHEFEXIL. This change, coupled with the specified testing requirements, is likely intended to streamline the export process while maintaining quality control and ensuring consumer safety. The immediate effect of the notification necessitates that exporters adapt to the new certification procedures to continue exporting Guar Gum to these key markets.

Key Entities Referenced