Industry

Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices added to Foreign Trade Policy

This move allows the newly established EPC-MD to issue the Registration-Cum-Membership (RCMC) for the medical devices falling under its jurisdiction.

The Health Master

June 27, 2023

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Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by The Health Master

Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices

The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023 by including the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPC-MD) in the list of Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, and Export Development Authorities.

This move allows the newly established EPC-MD to issue the Registration-Cum-Membership (RCMC) for the medical devices falling under its jurisdiction.

The Ministry has released a public notice to announce the amendments, specifically in Appendix 2T, which comprises the list of Export Promotion Councils and other export authorities.

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Inclusion of Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPC-MD):

The public notice, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on June 23, 2023, declares the inclusion of the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices in Appendix 2T of FTP 2023, granting it the authority to issue RCMC for specific items.

The EPC-MD is located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Assigned Medical Devices for RCMC:

The amendment identifies a total of 151 medical devices for which the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices will issue RCMC.

The list encompasses various products, including:

Medicated cotton wool,
Bandages,
Sterile surgical catgut,
Pacifying preparations for x-ray examinations,
Diagnostic reagents,
First aid boxes and kits,
Contraceptives,
Medical gloves and mittens,
Personal protective garments,
Syringes,
Catheters,
Stethoscopes, Blood transfusion apparatus,
Acupuncture apparatus.

Transition Process and Validity of RCMC:

To facilitate a smooth transition, the RCMC issued by the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC) until the date of the public notice will remain valid until their expiration.

This ensures continuity for existing exporters. Additionally, the amendment specifies the items falling under the EPC-MD’s jurisdiction, including machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, automobile components, bicycles, internal combustion engines, compressors, and more.

Establishment of EPC-MD:

In December 2022, the Department of Pharmaceuticals designated an official from the EEPC as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the EPC-MD.

This individual serves as the contact point and is responsible for establishing the council, in consultation with the Department of Pharmaceuticals, until a regular functionary is appointed for the EPC-MD.

Launch and Purpose of EPC-MD:

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated the EPC-MD during the 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Devices Sector held in New Delhi in May 2023.

The Department of Commerce approved the creation of this separate council under the administrative control of the Department of Pharmaceuticals to drive the growth of the medical device sector’s exports.

The Potential Impact:

Rajiv Nath, the Forum Coordinator of the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), expressed his views on the Council’s launch.

He stated that the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices would enable coordinated inter-ministerial policy measures to unlock India’s immense export and investment potential in the medical device manufacturing sector.

This move aims to position India among the top five preferred suppliers of medical devices worldwide, with a projected investment potential of over Rs. 80,000 crore.

Conclusion:

The inclusion of the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPC-MD) in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023 is a significant step toward fostering the growth of India’s medical device exports.

With the authority to issue RCMC for a wide range of medical devices, the EPC-MD aims to streamline export processes and capitalize on India’s potential to become a prominent global supplier in the medical device industry.

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