System for Grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK to Cultivators/Collectors of Medicinal Plants/ Herbs/ Botanicals as Raw/Starting Materials

0. INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Ayush has instituted a system to recognize and grant AYUSH QUALITY MARK to Ayush products and service for demonstrating adherence to globally recognized standards under the aegis of the AYUSHEXCIL. Ayush product and services have been identified along with applicable globally recognized standards, criteria and process for grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK.

1. SCOPE

This document describes the system including the criteria and the process for grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK to Cultivators/Collectors of Medicinal Plants/Herbs/Botanicals as Raw/ Starting Materials.

Note: The term "Cultivators/Collectors" used in this document means the "Cultivators/ Collectors of Medicinal Plants/Herbs/Botanicals as Raw/Starting Materials"

2. CRITERIA

2. CRITERIA: The Ayush Cultivator/Collector shall meet any of the following criteria to be eligible for recognition and grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK:

- (a) a) Compliance with any importing country regulations related to starting material of herbal origin/medicinal plants/ herbs/botanicals etc.
- (b) Compliance with GAP and GFCP through NMPB-QCI voluntary certification scheme for medicinal plant produce (VCSMPP) or equivalent
- c) Compliance with organic standards like National Standard for Organic Production [NSOP] under National Programme for Organic Production [NPOP] of APEDA or equivalent
3. PROCEDURE
3.1. The Ayush Cultivator/Collector, holding a valid certificate as per the criteria prescribed above shall apply to AYUSHEXCIL with the following:
a) Application Form as at Annex 1 along with the documents, including copies of the certificate(s) issued by the relevant body, as indicated in the Application Form

b) Two copies of the "Agreement between AYUSHEXCIL and Ayush Cultivator/ Collector" as at Annex 2, duly signed by the authorized signatory of the Ayush Cultivator/Collector.

c) Applicable Application Fee
3.2. AYUSHEXCIL shall review the application for completeness of documents. If the check reveals any deficiency in documents, the applicant shall be informed within one week and the applicant shall provide the required information or documents within one week.
3.3. In case an Ayush Cultivator/Collector has more than one location of the farms/collection areas where cultivation/collection activities area carried out and are covered by more than one certificate under the respective schemes mentioned in Item 2 above and which are proposed to be covered under the AYUSH QUALITY MARK, then separate applications need to be submitted for each such locations.
3.4. AYUSHEXCIL shall assign unique ID. to the application found complete with all documents. The receipt of application shall be acknowledged to the applicant conveying the ID which would be used for all future correspondence between the applicant and AYUSHEXCIL
3.5. The AYUSHEXCIL shall review the application, within one month of its submission, as complete with all documents.
3.6. If the review indicates need for further information/documents/clarification, the applicant shall be informed of the same for submitting the same within two weeks.
3.7. The AYUSHEXCIL reserves the right to undertake a visit/assessment at the applicant's premises as part of the process on random basis or for specific reasons.

3.8. In case the applicant is found to meet the requirements prescribed under this programme, the applicant will be informed of the intent to grant the AYUSH QUALITY MARK with the request to pay the Initial Recognition Fee as per the Fee Structure. The applicant shall pay the fee within one week.

3.9. In case the applicant is found not meeting the requirements, the applicant shall be given a 14 days' notice enumerating the reasons for rejection. The applicant's response shall be duly considered and if the application is rejected, the applicant shall be informed of the decision with the reasons for rejection. The applicant may apply afresh at any time after rejection.

3.10. On receipt of fee from the applicants meeting the requirements, the AYUSHEXCIL shall issue a Certificate for the grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK along with a copy of the Agreement, duly countersigned by the AYUSHEXCIL.

3.11. The grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK shall be effective from the date of issue of the certificate.

3.12. Scope of certification under the AYUSH QUALITY MARK would be all such Medicinal Plants/Herbs/ Botanicals as Raw/Starting Materials which are covered under the documents related to eligibility criteria. .

3.13. Validity of the Certificate shall be concurrent with validity of the registration/certification through which the Ayush Cultivator/Collector had met the eligibility criteria.

3.14. AYUSHEXCIL reserves the right to undertake any visit/assessment as part of its oversight over the certificates granted for use of AYUSH QUALITY MARK. These visits/assessments may be announced or short notice or unannounced and the Ayush Cultivator/Collector shall provide unrestricted access to the visiting team deputed by AYUSHEXCIL.

3.15. AYUSHEXCIL also reserves the right to undertake market surveillance of the Ayush Medicinal Plants/ Herbs/Botanicals as Raw/Starting Materials supplied by the recognized Ayush Cultivator/Collector. Such surveillance would be carried out in a manner as deemed appropriate, on merit for specific case.

3.16. Before completion of one year from the grant of AYUSH QUALITY MARK, the recognized Ayush Cultivator/Collector shall pay Annual Fee for continuation of recognition. The recognized Ayush Cultivator/Collector will have the option to pay the Annual Fee in advance for a maximum of 5 years

3.17. In case of any change in the information related to the registration/certificate of the eligibility criteria in respect of Medicinal Plants/Herbs/Botanicals as Raw/Starting Materials covered under the AYUSH QUALITY MARK, the Ayush Cultivator/Collector shall promptly inform AYUSHEXCIL within 3 days. On receipt of such information, AYUSHEXCIL shall decide issuing a modified certificate, if needed.

3.18. AYUSHEXCIL may decide to undertake onsite assessment for the purpose of deciding modifications in the certificate, the reasons for which shall be duly communicated to the Ayush Cultivator/Collector.

3.19. The certificate for AYUSH QUALITY MARK will be automatically suspended or withdrawn from the same date on which the registration/certification of the eligibility criteria is suspended or withdrawn or expired. The Ayush Cultivator/Collector shall inform AYUSHEXCIL regarding any suspension or withdrawal or expiry within 3 days and shall not use the AYUSH QUALITY MARK during the period of suspension or after withdrawal/expiry.

3.20. Revocation of suspension of certificate could be considered by the AYUSHEXCIL depending upon the actions taken by the Ayush Cultivator/Collector leading to restoration of registration/ certification meeting the eligibility criteria. .

3.21. Certificate for AYUSH QUALITY MARK, once withdrawn, cannot be revived. The Ayush Cultivator/ Collector shall have to apply afresh, if desirous of seeking recognition under the programme.

3.22. If at any time during the recognition, the AYUSHEXCIL finds that the Ayush Cultivator/Collector is not in compliance with the criteria or the terms of agreement, it may suspend or withdraw the recognition for the use of AYUSH QUALITY MARK after serving a due notice and providing an opportunity to the Ayush Cultivator/Collector to respond, including personal hearing, if so desired.

3.23. The Ayush Cultivator/Collector, if aggrieved by any decision of the AYUSHEXCIL, may prefer an appeal to the Appellate Authority as laid down in the Appeal Procedure within 30 working days of the adverse decision.

4. FEE STRUCTURE

4.1 The following fee shall apply:

S. No.	Fee / Charge	Amount (₹)	GST	Payment / Applicability
1	Application Fee	INR 5,000/-	18%	Non-refundable
2	Initial Recognition Fee	INR 10,000/-	18%	Payable at the time of grant of Ayush Quality Mark
3	Annual Renewal Fee	INR 5,000/-	18%	Payable every year in advance
4	Mandatory Charges	INR 5,000/-	18%	For visit/assessment by AYUSHEXCIL
5	Travel, Boarding, Lodging & Local Conveyance			As per AYUSHEXCIL norms

AYUSHEXCIL Bank Details:

Account Name: Ayush Export Promotion Council
Bank Name: Axis Bank
Account Number: 926010005729791
IFSC Code: UTIB0003108
Branch: South Extension II, New Delhi, 110049
Account Type: Current