APEDA rebuts allegations on organic cotton certification under NPOP
On 27 July 2025, APEDA refuted allegations about organic cotton certification, stating that NPOP certification is third-party and recognised by the European Commission and Switzerland.
Summary
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) refuted allegations about organic cotton certification on 27 July 2025. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) was launched in 2001 by the Department of Commerce for organic exports, with APEDA as its Secretariat. Grower group certification for small and marginal farmers began in 2005, and third-party certification is mandatory for exporting organic products. NPOP crop standards are recognised by the European Commission and Switzerland as equivalent to their own, are accepted by Great Britain, and India has a Mutual Recognition Agreement on organic products with Taiwan.
Key facts
- Date
- 27 July 2025
- NPOP launched
- 2001, Department of Commerce
- Secretariat
- APEDA
- Grower group certification
- Since 2005
- Export rule
- Third-party certification mandatory
- Recognition
- European Commission, Switzerland (crop level); accepted by Great Britain
- MRA
- Taiwan
Practice MCQs 2 questions
With which country/territory does India have a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for organic products, as stated by APEDA in July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Taiwan
PIB (27 July 2025): NPOP crop standards are recognised by the European Commission and Switzerland and accepted by Great Britain; there is an MRA for organic products with Taiwan.
Consider the following statements about the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): 1. It was launched in 2001 by the Department of Commerce, with APEDA as its Secretariat. 2. Grower group certification under it began in 2005 for small and marginal farmers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Both 1 and 2
PIB: NPOP was launched in 2001 by the Department of Commerce, APEDA is its Secretariat, and grower group certification was launched in 2005. Both correct.