The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry / Department of Commerce
Act details
| Short title | The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the sound development of the export trade of India through quality control and inspection and for matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 22 of 1963 |
| Act year | 1963 |
| Enactment date | 24 Aug 1963 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Commerce and Industry / Department of Commerce |
| Department | Department of Commerce |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 38 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
Key Provisions
1. Establishment of Oversight Body
• An Export Inspection Council is established to advise on and oversee quality control measures.
2. Definitions
• Critical terms such as "export," "inspection," and "quality control" are defined for clarity.
3. Quality Control and Inspection Mechanism
• The Act provides for the notification of commodities subject to quality control.
• Specifies the process for inspection and the issuance of certificates or marks for compliant goods.
4. Prohibition on Non-Compliant Exports
• Exports without the requisite certificate or mark are prohibited.
5. Enforcement and Penalties
• Empowers authorities to inspect, seize, and confiscate non-compliant goods.
• Outlines penalties for violations, including financial penalties and potential confiscation.
6. Financial and Administrative Provisions
• Details funding, accounting, and audit requirements for the overseeing body.
7. Supremacy Clause
• This Act takes precedence over other laws concerning quality control and inspection of notified commodities.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
● Act Title - The Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
● Act Number / Year - 22 of 1963
● Act ID (India Code) - 196322
● Presidential Assent Date - August 24, 1963
● Enforcement Date - January 1, 1964
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Institutionalization of Quality Assurance for International Trade - Enacted to soundly establish statutory quality control standards and compulsory pre-shipment inspection mechanisms for commodities exported from India, preserving the reputation and competitiveness of Indian goods in global markets.
● Establishment of Advisory and Executive Authorities - Formulated to set up the Export Inspection Council (EIC) as an apex statutory body to advise the Central Government and to authorize recognized quality inspection agencies, standard marks, and mandatory pre-export certification frameworks.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of Commerce to replace ad-hoc, commodity-specific export checks with a centralized, statutory quality enforcement system.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the August 1963 session.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on August 24, 1963.
● Enforcement - Enforced on January 1, 1964 .
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.