India has started working on a programme to develop a sustainability certification framework for export-oriented products, aiming to help exporters meet increasingly stringent environmental and social compliance requirements in global markets.
As part of the initiative, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reached out to export-focused sectors to identify products that are likely to face sustainability-related certification requirements in the near future.
The ministry is also collecting industry inputs on the data, methodologies and verification mechanisms that should form the basis of an Indian certification system that can be recognised by international buyers and regulators.
With sustainability becoming a key factor in global trade, exporters are increasingly required to demonstrate compliance through product-specific certifications, traceability mechanisms, emissions disclosures and third-party audits.
Growing consumer demand for ethically sourced and environmentally responsible products has further accelerated this trend.
Indian exporters, particularly those serving developed markets, are already navigating regulations such as the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), both of which place greater emphasis on supply-chain transparency and sustainability reporting.
According to government officials, the objective is to identify sectors most exposed to emerging sustainability requirements and develop credible certification standards backed by verifiable data.
The initiative is especially important given that Europe and North America together account for nearly 40% of India’s merchandise exports.
The move also comes at a time when India is expanding its trade relationships with major economies. The country has already signed a trade agreement with the UK, concluded negotiations on a pact with the European Union, and is pursuing trade discussions with the United States and Canada.
Officials said the exercise is currently in its early stages and will eventually involve state governments as well.
Industry experts note that while sustainability regulations differ across markets, common requirements increasingly include supply-chain traceability, environmental impact disclosures, sustainable sourcing practices, carbon accounting, organic and eco-certifications, and digital product passports.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
