A cotton industry body today requested the Centre to extend the deadline by one year for the compulsory requirement of certification under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
"We have urged the government to extend the implementation deadline for the compulsory requirement of certification under NPOP at least by one year to allow the export industry to adapt to the new legal requirements in a realistic timeframe so that current exports are not hampered," Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil) said.
The change in certification procedures for textile products are hampering the exports, Texprocil Chairman R K Dalmia said in a statement here.
Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a public notice last month, making it mandatory for any product exported as an "organic product" to be certified under NPOP by December 18. While NPOP certification is already required for raw cotton, it will now also cover finished organic textile products like yarn, fabrics, made ups and garments.
"While we welcome a national standard for organic cotton, the manner in which it is being implemented will create havoc in the organic textile industry and will lead to loss of export business," Dalmia said.
He said at a time when textile exports are sluggish and there is a widening trade deficit (as reflected in April- November 2014 trade data) there is a need to ensure that adequate time is given to exporters and importers to adjust and adopt the new procedural requirements.
Making abrupt changes in procedures will adversely affect exports and will go against the idea of "Ease of Doing Business" as envisaged by the Government, he said.
Dalmia appealed to authorities to extend the deadline of December 18 so that certifiers get adequate time to receive accreditation and exporters are able to convince their buyers regarding the new requirements.
