Policy Circular No. 01/2025-26, Dated 15-07-2025
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a Policy Circular clarifying the scope of accreditation under the Eighth Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). This clarification follows the issuance of Public Notice No. 39/2024-25 dated 05-01-2025.
1. Limited Scope of NPOP Accreditation
As per the Policy Circular, the scope of accreditation granted under the NPOP is restricted to specific categories clearly outlined in the Circular. It has been explicitly clarified that organic textiles are not included in the list of accredited categories under the current NPOP framework.
2. No Requirement for NAB-Accredited Transaction Certificates for Organic Textiles
In light of this clarification, the DGFT has emphasized that the requirement of a Transaction Certificate issued by a NAB-accredited body, as mandated by the aforementioned Public Notice, does not apply to exports of organic textile products. This exemption removes the confusion around the applicability of NPOP accreditation for textile exporters.
3. Valid Documentation for Export of Organic Textiles
Exporters of organic textiles are required to submit a valid Transaction Certificate at the time of export. This certificate must be issued by any of the following:
- Certification bodies designated through the Textile Exchange
- Certification bodies authorised under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Certification bodies mandated by the buyer(s)
These alternate certification routes ensure that exporters remain compliant with global organic standards, even though they fall outside the purview of NPOP accreditation.
4. Conclusion
This policy clarification brings much-needed certainty for organic textile exporters and ensures that their compliance obligations are aligned with internationally accepted certification practices, rather than the NPOP framework. Exporters are advised to verify certification requirements with their buyers and continue adhering to recognized global standards such as GOTS or Textile Exchange certifications.
