Indian Mandatory Barcoding for Exports Postponed

As part of being implemented in a staggered manner, the barcoding for tertiary packaging will be made compulsory only from October 1, 2011.

Following the apprehensions and resentment among the industry over the imposition of barcoding system for exports of pharmaceutical products from the country, the Indian Commerce Ministry is all set to give more time to the exporters by enforcing the barcoding in a phased manner.

As per the new schedule finalised by the Ministry, the barcode will not be mandatory from July 1, 2011 as stipulated by the recent notification. As part of being implemented in a staggered manner, now the barcoding for tertiary packaging will be made compulsory only from October 1, 2011. The barcoding will be binding on secondary packaging only from January 1, 2012.

Giving exactly one more year as preparation time for the industry, the system will be made mandatory for primary packaging o