Export Inspection Agency, Kochi

9.9515990, 76.2977990

The Export Inspection Council (EIC) was set up by the Government of India under Section 3 of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 (22 of 1963), in order to ensure sound development of export trade of India through Quality Control and Inspection and for matters connected thereof.

EIC is an advisory body to the Central Government, which is empowered under the Act to:

. Notify commodities which will be subject to quality control and/ or inspection prior to export,

. Establish standards of quality for such notified commodities, and

. Specify the type of quality control and / or inspection to be applied to such commodities.

Besides its advisory role, the Export Inspection Council, also exercises technical and administrative control over the five Export Inspection Agencies (EIAs), one each at Channai, Delhi, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai established by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, under Section 7 of the Act for the purpose of implementing the various measures and policies formulated by the Export Inspection Council of India.
Export Inspection Council, either directly or through Export Inspection Agencies, its field organisation renders services in the areas of:
Certification of quality of export commodities through installation of quality assurance systems (In-process Quality Control and Self Certification) in the exporting units as well as consignment wise inspection.
Certification of quality of food items for export through installation of Food safety Management System in the food processing units.
Issue of Certificates of origin to exporters under various preferential tariff schemes for export products.

The Molecular biology division of EIA-Kochi laboratory is currently involving the detection of GMO/LMO in various Food & Agricultural products including animal feed and also detection of various virus/pathogens in shrimp matrices. The details/ scope of testing are as follows:
Specific Tests or Parameters (Analytes) Products, Materials or Items (Matrix)
Qualitative test for the presence of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO); Target elements: Promoter (35S) & Terminator (NOS) In food & Agricultural products including Animal feed: Soya & soya derived products Rice & rice derived products Corn/maize & maize derived products Wheat & wheat derived products Rape seed & its meal Pepper, Coriander, Cumin seeds Guar meal Ground nut & ground nut meal Fruit pulp
White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Shrimps
Yellow Head Virus (YHV) Shrimps
Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV) Shrimps
Infectious Hypodermal & Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) Shrimps
Infectious Myonecrosis Virus (IMNV) Shrimps
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) / Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) Shrimps
The GMO/LMO Detection facility at EIA-Kochi is accredited by NABL based on ISO/IEC 17025:2005 since 2013 for analysis in Food and Agriculture products. The GMO detection facility at EIA-Kochi is approved by Export Inspection Council (EIC), New Delhi under EIC Laboratory Approval Scheme, 2010 since 2013 for the analysis in Food and Agriculture products
Sl. No. Name of Equipment Qty. available Make / Model
1 Real Time PCR system 02 Applied Biosystem, StepOne plus Applied Biosystem, Quant Studio 3
2 Gradient Thermal cycler 01 Applied Biosystem, Veriti
3 Automated DNA Sequencer (8 capillaries) 01 AB3500 Genetic Analyzer QST
4 Gel Imaging System 01 BioRad, GelDocEZ
5 Gel electrophoresis system 01 BioRad, Mini Sub cell GT with accessories and power pack
6 Analytical Weighing Balance 02 Mettler Toledo XS204
Sartorious
7 Sample grinding equipment 02 Retsch Knife Mill Grindomix GM200
Premier mixer grinder with accessories
8 Nano UV Spectrophotometer 01 Eppendorf Biospectrometer basic
9 Dry bath incubator with heating and cooling 02 Eppendorf Thermomixer C
Eppendorf Thermomixer comfort
10 Shaking Water Bath 01 JSR, JSSB-30T model
11 Vertical Autoclave 01 JSR, JSAT-80 model
12 Tabletop refrigerated centrifuges with different capacities 02 Thermo Scientific SL8R
Eppendorf 5804R
13 Benchtop plate centrifuge 01 Thermo Scientific SL8
14 Centrifugal DNA Vaccum Concentrator 01 Thermo Scientific DNA Speedvac
15 Vertical Deep freezer 01 Vestfrost BFS-345S
16 Biosafety cabinet 01 Haier HR900-IIA2
17 PCR Workstation 01 Euroclone Aura Vertical SD4
18 Variable volume micropipettes 05 sets Dedicated set of pipettes for segregated activities
19 Multichannel electronic pipettes 01 Thermo Scientific, 8 channel
20 Single channel electronic pipettes 01 Thermo Scientific
 

EIA-Kochi has setup a new state of the art Molecular biology laboratory of about 1500 sq. ft. area on third floor of the building. The inaugural function of New Molecular biology laboratory was held on 22-11-2017. Shri. Santosh Kumar Sarnagi, IAS, Chairman, EIC & Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the function. Dr. S. K. Saxena, Director, EIC, New Delhi gave the key note address.

The state of the art New Molecular biology laboratory of EIA-Kochi is equipped with all modern and sophisticated instruments like PCR, Real Time PCR, DNA Sequencer and other supporting instruments for the testing of various Molecular Biology based parameters in Food and Agricuture products., Virus testing. The new laboratory includes the facilities for Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) / Living Modified Organisms (LMO), Detection of Viruses / pathogens in shrimps, Meat and Meat Products species identification etc. The Molecular Biology lab is also in the process of addition/upgradation of its testing scope for the Identification and Quantification of GMO/LMO, Basmati Rice Authenticity testing by genotyping, Species/ pathogen identification, etc. using PCR, Real Time PCR and DNA Sequencer.

EIA-Kochi is one of the beneficiary and partner organization in UNEP-GEF supported Phase II Capacity building project on Biosafety being implemented through Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India. The GMO detection facility at EIA-Kochi has been identified by MoEF&CC, Govt. of India to be included under “National Referral Laboratory Network for GMO Detection” and has been considered for strengthening under UNEP-GEF supported Phase II Capacity Building Project on Biosafety. The laboratory has been notified as one of the “National Referral Laboratory to detect the presence or absence of LMOs/GMOs under the Seeds Act, 1966 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India through Gazette Notification dated: 15th November, 2017.

EIA-Kochi is one of the beneficiary and partner organization in UNEP-GEF supported Phase II Capacity building project on Biosafety being implemented through Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India.
  • The GMO/LMO Detection facility at EIA-Kochi has been identified and strengthened under this project by MoEF&CC, Govt. of India.
  • This laboratory has been selected to be included in the National Network of Referral Laboratories for LMO detection as an “LMO Detection Centre”.
  • Laboratory officials/staff from EIA-Kochi has attended national and international (Intertek ScanBi Diagnostics Laboratory, Alnarp, Sweden) trainings on detection of GMO/LMOs as part of capacity building under UNEP-GEF supported Phase II Biosafety Project.
  • EIA-Kochi has organized the Phase-III Hands on training program on Detection of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) during 29thFebruary to 04th March, 2016 under UNEP-GEF supported Phase II Capacity building project on Biosafety.
  • EIA-Kochi laboratory, Technical Manager (Molecular biology) was invited to deliver lectures on “Detection of LMOs: DNA based Techniques” for the Training Workshop on Strengthening Capacities of Enforcement Agency (Customs Officials) for Trans-boundary Movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) being jointly organized by MoEF&CC and NBPGR under this project.
  • EIA-Kochi laboratory Technical Manager (Molecular biology) was nominated by MoEF&CC through EIC, from India to attend “Asia-Pacific Workshop on the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms”, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 20-24 March 2017 organised by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
EIA-Kochi laboratory regularly participate in International Proficiency Testing programs and also organize and participate in Inter Laboratory Comparison programs in various parameters including GMO/LMOs to demonstrate technical competency. Details of participation in International Proficiency Test related to GMO/LMO testing:
Sl. No. Product / Material Details of Test(s) Date of Testing Nodal Laboratory Performance Summary Result Corrective Action taken
1. Soya flour GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Mar. 2014 FAPAS (GeMMU29) Satisfactory Performance report satisfactory, hence no corrective action required
2. Corn (4 samples) Soya (2 samples) GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Oct. 2015 US Dept. of Agriculture Satisfactory  --
3. Corn (4 samples) Soya (2 samples) GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Apr. 2016 US Dept. of Agriculture Satisfactory  --
4. Corn (4 samples) Soya (2 samples) GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Oct. 2016 US Dept. of Agriculture Satisfactory  --
5. Corn (4 samples) Soya (2 samples) GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Apr. 2017 US Dept. of Agriculture Final Report awaited --
Details of participation/organised Inter Lab Comparison programs related to GMO testing:
Sl. No. Product / Material Details of Test(s) Date of Testing Nodal Laboratory Performance Summary Result Corrective Action taken
1. Soya GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Jul. 2013 Initiated by EIA-Kochi, Laboratory Satisfactory Performance report satisfactory, hence no corrective action required
2. Soya Flour and Cotton seed powder GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Mar. 2014 PBTI, Mohali Satisfactory
3. Rice Flour and Mixed flour matrix GMO (detection of P35S & tNOS) Sep. 2016 EIA-Mumbai PTH Satisfactory
Sl. No. Designation and Role of Key personnel Academic and professional qualification Years of experience Relevant experience in GMO testing
1. Assistant Director (Technical Manager and In-charge of Molecular biology Section) M.Sc. Biotechnology Ph.D. (Faculty of Marine Sciences) 14 years · Total 14 years’ experience including research and food testing in the field of Molecular biology, Genetics and Biotechnology. Dealing with all activities related to GMO/LMO and other Molecular biology based testing including developing test facility, method development/ validation/ verification etc. at EIA-Kochi · Trained in India and abroad (Sweden) on Detection of LMOs under UNEP-GEF supported Phase II capacity building project on Biosafety implemented through MoEF&CC. And In-house training on GMO detection.
2. Technical Officer (Technical Manager and In charge of Microbiology section and alternate for Molecular biology) M.Sc. Microbiology 14 years · Total 14 years’ experience including R&D and food testing in the field of Microbiological and Molecular biology analysis. Involving in GMO and Microbiological testing of various food commodities · Trained in India on Detection of LMOs under UNEP-GEF supported Phase II capacity building project on Biosafety implemented through MoEF&CC. Also trained at EIA-Kochi on GMO detection
3. Jr. Scientific Assistant (Dy. Technical Manager and Analyst in Molecular biology Section) M.Sc. Microbiology 09 years · Total 09 years’ experience in food testing in the field of Molecular biology and Microbiological analysis. Involving in GMO and other Molecular biology based testing and supporting in method validation/ verification etc. in Molecular biological testing. · Trained in India and abroad (Sweden) on Detection of LMOs under UNEP-GEF supported Phase II capacity building project on Biosafety implemented through MoEF&CC.
4. Jr. Scientific Assistant (Analyst in Microbiology as well as Molecular biology Section) M.Sc. Biotechnology M. Phil Biotechnology 07 years · Total 07 years’ experience including R&D and food testing in the field of Microbiology, Molecular biology and Virology. Involving in Microbiological as well as Molecular biological analysis. · Undergoing in-house training on GMO detection.
5. Lab Assistant 12th Standard 07 years Support staff.

Key Contact Details

Dr. S.K. Saxena
Director
EXPORT INSPECTION COUNCIL
(Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India)
3rd Floor, NDYMCA, Cultural Centre Building, 1, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi – 110 001.
Tel: +91-11-23341263, 23748189, 23365540
Fax: +91-11 – 23748024
Email: director(at)eicindia(dot)gov(dot)in
Shri. Jayapalan G
Deputy Director In-charge
EXPORT INSPECTION AGENCY-KOCHI
(Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India)
27/1767 A, Shipyard Quarters Road, Panampilly Nagar (South), Kochi-682 036
Tel: 0484-2316949(D)/2316945/2316946
Fax: 04842316948
Email: jd-kochi(at)eicindia(dot)gov(dot)in
Dr. Anoop A Krishnan
Assistant Director, In-charge Laboratory
EXPORT INSPECTION AGENCY – KOCHI, Laboratory
(Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India)
27/1767 A, Shipyard Quarters Road, Panampilly Nagar (South), Kochi –682036
Tel: 0484-2316945/2316946
Fax: 04842316948
Email: eia-kochilab(at)eicindia(dot)gov(dot)in
Dr. Lijo John
Assistant Director (Section In-charge, Molecular biology Division)
EXPORT INSPECTION AGENCY – KOCHI, Laboratory
(Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India)
27/1767 A, Shipyard Quarters Road, Panampilly Nagar (South), Kochi –682036
Tel: 0484-2316945/2316946
Fax: 04842316948
Email: eia-kochilab(at)eicindia(dot)gov(dot)in
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