Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-Judicial bodies.

Context: 7th edition of Home Expo India 2018 was recently organized by EPCH at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida. The fair is a three segmented categories show comprising Housewares, Textiles and Furniture under one roof at the same time making it a One-Stop Expo for every visitor.

 

About EPCH:

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) under the aegis of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is a non-profit organization, established under the EXIM policy of Government of India in the year 1986-87.
The objective is to promote, support, protect, maintain and increase the export of handicrafts.
 

Functions of the council:

It is an apex body of handicrafts exporters for promotion of exports of Handicrafts from country.
The Council has created necessary infrastructure as well as marketing and information facilities, which are availed both by the members exporters and importers.
The Council is engaged in promotion of handicrafts from India and project India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts.
 

Composition of the council:

The Council is run and managed by team of professionals headed by Executive Director. The Committee of Administration consists of eminent exporters, professionals. The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts has a rarest distinction of being considered as MODEL COUNCIL that is self-sustaining and where all the promotional activities are self-financed.

 

VRIKSH:

” VRIKSH ” is a program by EPCH which is totally based on the timber legality assessment and verification standard for verification of legality and legal origin of wood and wooden products. It is intended for entities who want to accurately track and make claims about the legal origin and transport of their products.
The VRIKSH standard conforms to all major compliance requirements including the new CITES notification.
To fulfil the obligation, the Vriksh shipment certificate, issued exclusively by EPCH is mandatory to go along with all shipments of two Dalbergia’s species (Rosewood and Sheesham) products.
 

What’s important?

For Prelims: EPCH and Vriksh initiative.
For Mains: Need for promotion of Indian handicrafts and its significance.
 

Sources: pib.