With regard to SPS measures, the Indian Central Government passed the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act in 2006. However, as the rules and regulations to operationalize this Act have not been announced, the Act does not seem to be at the stage of full implementation. When will the Act be fully implemented? How does India assess the impact of the Act on its trading partners' exports to India when it is fully implemented?
Reply: The FSS Rules, 2011 were notified on 5 May 2011 and FSS Regulations, 2011 were notified on 1 August 2011. This has shifted the regulatory control from multi agencies to a single agency in the country. This would lead to a reduction in the time for obtaining licences and getting clearances for imports.
