AGMARK Certification Service in India: Process, Documents, Cost & Benefits

Can you believe in any food product based only on the appeal of its packaging?

Beauty does not always reflect quality. Grading, purity, quality criteria, and standards are some of the factors that contribute to building consumer confidence in respect of agriculture and food products. This is where AGMARK Certification becomes important.

AGMARK is a government-controlled system of grading and marking of certain selected agricultural as well as other produce. This is achieved under the provisions of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 and the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), which is an entity working under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. This body is concerned with the grading and certification of such agricultural products.

It is crucial for the manufacturer, processor, packer, exporter, or any other businessman dealing in the specified agricultural commodities to know about the procedures for obtaining an AGMARK certificate and labeling. 

What Is AGMARK Certification?

AGMARK stands for the scheme of grading and marking of agricultural and other products governed by the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937.

This scheme provides for grade marks and quality standards for the products governed by the rules concerned. AGMARK mark or the grade mark is more than just a product promotion mark because it is linked to the approval and conformity to the grading and marking requirements.

The General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 explain terms such as AGMARK grading, AGMARK labels, and AGMARK replicas. The grading and marking requirements specific to the products can include quality criteria, grades, packaging, and marking requirements.

What Is AGMARK Used For?

The purpose of AGMARK is to grade and mark eligible agricultural and other notified products in accordance with the specified standards.

Based on the type of commodity and applicable regulations, AGMARK facilitates conformity to the specified quality standards. This means that AGMARK may enable:

Grading of eligible agricultural commodities in accordance with the standardized criteria

• Improved quality control
• Buyer assurance
• Compliance with regulatory standards
• Market credibility
• Control over the usage of AGMARK

However, companies are not supposed to believe that all agricultural and food products need to be certified under the AGMARK scheme.

Which Products Come Under AGMARK?

The official AGMARK website contains a large list of commodities that fall within the purview of the concerned guidelines. Some examples are:

• Food grains & allied products
• Fruits & vegetables
• Spices & condiments
• Oilseeds & edible oils
• Animal products
• Processed agricultural products
• Other notified commodities

In the DMI website, Blended Edible Vegetable Oils (BEVO) and Fats Spread are identified as commodities for which AGMARK certification is mandatory under the concerned guidelines on food safety.

Hence, it is advised that one first ascertain the concerned commodity, relevant guidelines, grading requirements, and whether the certification is mandatory or available.

Understanding the AGMARK Logo

The AGMARK logo is the prescribed grade designation mark, and its make-up will vary depending on the rule applicable.

For instance, as per the Fruits and Vegetables Grading and Marking Rules, the grade designation mark is made up of the AGMARK logo, which includes items like the Certificate of Authorisation number, AGMARK, commodity name, and grade designation.

Therefore, firms must be careful not to just download any AGMARK logo PNG file from an online source and paste it on their product packages.

AGMARK Certification Consultancy Process

1. Eligibility Assessment: 

Your business operations, products, processing facilities, and commodity requirements are analyzed to check if you are eligible for AGMARK certification.

2. Documentation Assistance:

We take care of all the required documentation, as per AGMARK and DMI norms, to minimize any mistakes and ensure no delay.

3. Application Filing:

We help in filing the application for AGMARK and assist in submission of the information and documents.

4. Premises & Infrastructure Assistance:

We guide you about the facilities that need to be there, along with the processes, quality checks, lab facilities, etc.

5. Product Testing Assistance:

We coordinate the necessary testing of the products at the AGMARK lab, as well as submission of the reports.

6. Inspection & Assistance in Queries:

We help you in getting inspection of the premises and answering the concerns, if any, raised by the AGMARK authorities.

7. Assistance in Issuance of Certificate:

We help in the entire process till you receive the certificate of AGMARK and advise you about post-certification compliance.

Documents Required for AGMARK Registration

The document list will differ based on the commodity and application category. Information that can be commonly needed includes:

• Certified copy of test report issued by a recognized AGMARK laboratory
• Document proving the incorporation of the firm, such as Registration Certificate issued by the ROC or some other competent body
• Memorandum of Association in case of company
• Partnership Deed including terms and conditions in case of partnership firm
• Names of products for which AGMARK standardization is desired
• Name of the applicant
• Name of the firm 
• Contact information of firm 
• Samples of the product in sachets
• Total quantity of the product manufactured in the last year, in kg
• Turnover of the company in the last fiscal year

The document that needs to be created for AGMARK application will be the certificate of authorization AGMARK and it should be prepared following the latest DMI checklist.

How Long Does AGMARK Certification Take?

There is no standard universal timeline for AGMARK certification that applies to all commodities.

The processing time may vary based on:

• Type of commodity
• Document submission
• Testing
• Infrastructure availability
• Need for inspection
• Questions posed by the authorities
• Accuracy of information in the application form
• Submission of necessary documents

Hence, businesses need to be wary of any fixed timelines offered regardless of the commodity type and application process.

What Are the Benefits of AGMARK Certification?

Getting relevant AGMARK certification may have many benefits for businesses, such as:

1. Improved Quality Significance: Grading according to established standards will show product quality.
2. Customer Assurance: Authorization of the AGMARK mark will increase the assurance of relevant products.
3. Statutory Compliance: It will help in complying with statutory grading and marking laws.
4. Market Acceptability: Complying with the laws will ensure market acceptability by the buyer.
5. Improved Quality Control: Testing and grading will ensure the systematic checking of the quality of the product.
6. Minimizing Legal Problems: Proper authorization of the mark will prevent any problem related to unapproved marking or non-compliance.

How UMSPCS Can Help with AGMARK Certification

UMSPCS offers end-to-end consultancy services for companies who want to be certified with AGMARK in India.

With our expertise in dealing with more than 600 product compliances and over 6 years of experience, we assist the company in approaching the regulation with an effective compliance approach.

Our services may include:

• Applicability of product
• AGMARK requirements
• Documentation support
• Application & submission support
• Laboratory coordination
• Premises & infrastructure support
• Testing and compliance
• Deficiency handling
• Regulatory coordination
• Authorization follow-up
• Post-certification compliance guidance

We also provide the best bis certification consultant services in India at an affordable cost.

Conclusion

AGMARK certification goes beyond using the quality symbol on the agricultural produce. This process involves the use of a regulated grading and marking scheme that is supposed to ensure conformity to certain standards on eligible products.

From knowing how AGMARK will be applied, recognizing the appropriate product requirements, to scheduling the laboratory test, preparing documents, filling the application, and ensuring compliance after certification, everything has to be done meticulously.

If you want AGMARK certification services, help with the AGMARK laboratory, or just want to know whether your product requires AGMARK certification, UMSPCS can offer compliance services to you.

Contact UMSPCS now to discuss your product and get professional help with your AGMARK certification.

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FAQs

1. What is the meaning of AGMARK?

It is an officially regulated system of grading and marking certain agricultural or other produce as per the provisions of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937.

2. Who issues AGMARK certification?

AGMARK certification and associated grading activities are conducted through the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

3. What is the purpose of AGMARK?

AGMARK certification serves the purpose of grading and marking of the agricultural or other notifyable produce as per the prescribed standards of quality and grade.

4. Is AGMARK compulsory for all the food products?

No, it is dependent on the commodity and the statutory requirements.

5. Can I put an AGMARK logo PNG on my product?

No, mere downloading of AGMARK logo PNG does not grant permission to use.

6. What is an AGMARK laboratory?

An AGMARK laboratory is a laboratory that is authorized for relevant grading and testing activities in its specified scope as per the AGMARK program.

7. Which documents are required for AGMARK registration?

It differs from commodity to commodity and depends on the type of application, which may include documents relating to business registration, products, facilities, laboratory, testing reports, and so on.

8. How long does the process of AGMARK registration take?

This is dependent on the type of commodity, documentation, laboratory testing, inspection, infrastructure, and regulatory process.

9. Why hire an AGMARK consultant?

AGMARK consultant helps in various areas such as the applicability of the product, documentation, laboratory assistance, application filing, regulatory questions, and so forth.