FISME Urges Govt To Strengthen Testing, Certification Infrastructure For MSME Exports

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Nov 10 (KNN) The Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) has urged the government to strengthen India's testing, standards and certification infrastructure to help MSMEs leverage trade agreements and access global markets.

A FISME delegation led by President Rakesh Chhabra, accompanied by Rajendra Agrawal, Convenor, Friends of MSMEs in Parliament, and Secretary General Anil Bhardwaj, met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on November 9 and submitted a memorandum outlining measures to address export compliance challenges.

FISME proposed implementation-oriented studies covering ten priority MSME export sectors for each major trading partner, including ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The studies would provide product-specific information on market opportunities, rules of origin, technical standards, testing requirements, certification procedures and compliance costs.

They would also map destination-specific requirements covering tariffs, regulatory approvals, labelling, packaging, traceability and environmental obligations.

Seeks Inter-Ministerial Mechanism For Testing Infrastructure

The memorandum also proposed an inter-ministerial mechanism led by the Department of Commerce to align India's testing infrastructure with export market requirements.

The mechanism would include the Ministry of MSME, sectoral ministries, BIS, QCI, NABL, NABCB and other technical institutions.

FISME recommended assessing laboratory capabilities against international standards, identifying infrastructure gaps and upgrading facilities through specialised equipment, skilled personnel and expanded accreditation.

It also called for mutual recognition agreements to improve the acceptance of Indian test results in overseas markets.

FISME noted that accreditation alone does not ensure acceptance by foreign regulators, making sector-specific recognition arrangements necessary.

Calls For Affordable Compliance Support

To ease compliance for smaller exporters, FISME proposed transparent testing fees, faster turnaround times, pooled testing services and targeted compliance vouchers.

The studies would assess costs related to testing, certification, inspections, registration, overseas sample transportation and renewals.

FISME also recommended practical compliance checklists, directories of accredited testing facilities and guidance on obtaining internationally recognised certifications.

It further called for inputs from Indian missions, overseas regulators, technical experts, laboratories and industry representatives to validate the findings.

According to FISME, the minister has taken the suggestions to commission sector-specific studies positively and directed officials to initiate the process.

The industry body said coordinated support on standards, testing and certification would help MSMEs translate trade agreement benefits into sustained exports, investment and employment.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN10112026000155011030ID1111940545