Introduction

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the APEDA Act passed by the Parliament in December,1985 for the development and promotion of export for the scheduled products. With this act coming into effect, APEDA replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC). The products specified under the APEDA Act are called Schedule products

APEDA is also responsible liable to provide financial assistance, information and guidelines for the development of scheduled products.

APEDA registration is essential as it is responsible for export promotion and development of scheduled products.

Schedule Products monitored by APEDA

1. Fruits, Vegetables and their Products.
2. Meat and Meat Products.
3. Poultry and Poultry Products.
4. Dairy Products.
5. Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products.
6. Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products.
7. Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds.
8. Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
9. Cereal and Cereal Products.
10. Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts.
11. Pickles, Papads and Chutneys.
12. Guar Gum.
13. Floriculture and Floriculture Products.
14. Herbal and Medicinal Plants.

APEDA has also been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of sugar.

Objectives of APEDA

The main objective behind establishing APEDA is to promote the schedule products export as specified under APEDA Act and to accomplish various functions to improvement by this body under the regulations of the central government. Central government establishes the rules and regulations and executes through this apex body for the effective administration of APEDA Act.

Functions

The main functions of APEDA are as follows.

1. Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products on payment of such fees as may be prescribed
2. Development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance or otherwise for undertaking surveys and feasibility studies, participation in enquiry capital through joint ventures and other reliefs and subsidy schemes
3. Fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports
4. Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises, conveyances or other places where such products are kept or handled for the purpose of ensuring the quality of such products
5. Improving packaging and marketing for better a better product offering in the global market
6. Promotion of export-oriented production and development of the Scheduled products
7. Collection and publication of useful statistics. The data source is from the owners of factories or establishments engaged in the production, processing, packaging, marketing or export of the scheduled products or from such other persons as may be prescribed on any matter relating to the scheduled products.
8. Conducting trainings to educate exporters about latest practices in the industry. etc.

list of documents needed for APEDA Registration:

1. PAN card copies of all directors
2. Passport size photograph of all directors
3. Copies of Aadhaar Card / Voter id of all directors
4. NOC from Landlord.
5. Copy of the Rent agreement (If rented property)
6. Copy of Property papers (If property is owned)
7. Copy of the Electricity bill / Water bill (Business Premises)

Advantages of APEDA registration.

• APEDA registration is mandatory for all exporters who want to export of scheduled products. By registering under APEDA Act the exporters gain various advantages, some of them are below

1. Exporters are benefitted through various financial assistance schemes under APEDA registration.
2. APEDA provides financial assistance under several schemes to the exporters of scheduled products to promote their brand publicity through packaging development, advertisement, upgrading database and surveys etc.
3. Provides guidelines to exporters about the various scheduled products and countries for International trade.

Registered members can participate in various training programs organized by APEDA on various scheduled products in several aspects of the Industries and on how to improve their business.