DGFT Revises Export Policy for Animal By-Products to Align with EU Regulations

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Dated: 09.09.2025

DGFT Revises Export Policy for Animal By-Products to Align with EU Regulations

In a significant move to streamline export policies and ensure compliance with international standards, the Government of India has amended the export policy for certain animal by-products. This revision, announced through Notification No. 29/2025-26 by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), aims to align India’s export practices with specific European Union (EU) regulations. The changes are effective immediately and are expected to impact exporters dealing with animal by-products used in pet food production.

Key Highlights of the Notification

The notification introduces a new policy condition under Chapter 23 of Schedule-II (Export Policy) of ITC(HS) 2022. This condition mandates stricter quality checks and certification processes for animal by-products used as raw materials in pet food products. The revised policy applies to items such as meat, offal, guts, bladders, stomach, intestines, pizzle, bones, horns, hooves, glands, hides, and other organs sourced from APEDA-registered integrated abattoirs or municipal slaughterhouses.

Certification Requirements

To ensure the suitability of these raw materials for pet food production (not intended for human consumption), the following measures have been introduced:

Post-mortem inspection and segregation of raw materials by the designated veterinary authority of the state where the meat processing plant is located.
Certification issued by veterinarians registered under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, employed by the slaughtering unit and supervised by the designated veterinary authority of the state/UT.

Amendments to ITC(HS) Codes

The export policy for the following ITC(HS) codes has been updated:

23091000: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale
23099010: Compounded animal feed
23099020: Concentrates for compound animal feed

The revised policy now includes compliance with both Policy Condition 1 and the newly added Policy Condition 2 under Chapter 23.

Impact of the Notification

This amendment is expected to enhance the quality and safety of animal by-products exported from India, particularly those used in pet food production. By aligning with EU regulations, Indian exporters can strengthen their position in international markets, ensuring better acceptance of their products. Additionally, the move underscores India’s commitment to maintaining high standards in its export practices.

Conclusion

The revision of the export policy for animal by-products marks a progressive step by the Indian government to ensure compliance with global standards. Exporters dealing with these products must now adhere to the updated certification and inspection requirements to continue their operations seamlessly. This alignment with EU regulations is likely to open new opportunities for Indian exporters in the global pet food market while ensuring the safety and quality of exported products.

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Source: DGFT

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