TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
Introduction
In a major stride towards strengthening India’s trade facilitation infrastructure and enhancing the credibility of its quality certification system, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has announced the pilot launch of “Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu” through Trade Notice No. 14/2025-26 dated 27 October 2025.
This initiative marks a transformative step in integrating testing and inspection agencies across India through a unified digital single-window interface — aimed at ensuring faster, transparent, and paperless testing and certification for both import and export commodities.
Objective of the Initiative
The primary objective of Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu is to digitally connect exporters, importers, and accredited testing and inspection agencies on a common platform accessible through https://trade.gov.in/pages/labsetu.
The system is designed to:
- Eliminate manual and time-consuming processes in testing and certification,
- Ensure traceability, transparency, and accountability in test reports,
- Enhance global trust in India’s quality infrastructure, and
- Provide real-time visibility of accredited testing and inspection facilities across the country.
Through this platform, users will be able to search, select, apply, track, and receive digital test reports and certifications for various product categories seamlessly.
Pilot Phase and Key Timelines
The DGFT has proposed a phased implementation of the Lab Setu system:
- November 4, 2025 – Commencement of the pilot phase and onboarding of testing and inspection agencies.
- November 11, 2025 – Opening of the platform for exporters and importers to submit applications for testing and certification.
During the pilot phase, existing manual processes will continue in parallel to ensure a smooth transition and feedback-based improvement of the platform before full-scale rollout.
Functional Features for Exporters and Importers
The Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu offers a robust, user-centric workflow, integrated with DGFT’s existing Trade Connect e-Platform.
1. Login and Registration
- Exporters can access Lab Setu using their existing DGFT login credentials — no new registration is required.
- For new users, IEC-linked registration on https://dgft.gov.in is mandatory.
- Any changes to IEC details such as address, GSTIN, or branch information will automatically sync with Lab Setu.
2. Application for Testing / Inspection
- Applications can be made for commodities requiring mandatory test reports or certificates at ports of export or import.
- Exporters can select multiple tests for a product in one application and choose the desired branch of an onboarded laboratory.
- Applications must include product details, sample images, and supporting documents, and be digitally signed using DSC or Aadhaar-based e-Sign.
- Online payment of applicable test fees is mandatory at submission, with fee determination resting with respective laboratories.
3. Real-Time Tracking and Report Access
- Exporters can track applications through the “Track Application” feature.
- Completed test certificates will be digitally issued and made available for download through the applicant’s dashboard.
This streamlined process will significantly reduce turnaround time and enhance predictability for exporters.
Instructions for Testing and Inspection Agencies
Testing and inspection agencies — including those owned or empanelled by Commodity Boards, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), and other government departments — are required to onboard onto the Lab Setu platform as a one-time activity.
1. Onboarding and User Roles
- In the pilot phase, laboratories under the Tea Board, Coffee Board, and Rubber Board will be the first to be integrated.
- Each laboratory will operate under a three-tier structure: Lab Administrator, Branch Manager, and Lab Technician.
- Registration and user management will be performed through official email credentials with mandatory DSC registration for signing digital test reports.
- Laboratories without a Merchant ID and Checksum Key from PayGov must complete payment gateway onboarding prior to registration.
2. Verification and Transparency
Every test report issued via Lab Setu will include a QR code for instant authenticity verification. Reports can also be verified online through the “Verify Report” function at https://trade.gov.in/pages/labsetu.
Enhancing Transparency and Ease of Doing Business
The Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu project aligns with India’s larger “Digital Trade Facilitation” and “Ease of Doing Business” agenda. By replacing fragmented manual procedures with a centralized, secure, and verifiable digital system, DGFT aims to:
- Reduce administrative burden for exporters and importers,
- Improve efficiency of port-based clearances,
- Foster a transparent, auditable chain of custody for sample testing, and
- Strengthen the global credibility of Indian export consignments through authenticated digital certifications.
This initiative is also consistent with the Government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, which emphasizes technological integration, quality assurance, and trusted supply chains.
Stakeholder Outreach and Capacity Building
DGFT, in collaboration with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, and Trade Associations, will conduct nationwide outreach and awareness programs to demonstrate Lab Setu functionalities.
Comprehensive User Guides and FAQs will be made available online. The DGFT Helpdesk has also established multi-channel support through:
- Helpdesk Ticket: LabSetu Helpdesk Service ? Create New Request ? “Lab Setu” category,
- Toll-Free Numbers: 011-23061495 / 011-23061499, and
- Email Support:[email protected]
Significance and Way Forward
The Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu is poised to become a landmark reform in India’s trade ecosystem by creating a digitally connected quality infrastructure that supports exporters, importers, and testing agencies alike.
Its successful implementation will:
- Standardize testing and certification protocols,
- Promote paperless governance,
- Integrate quality assurance with trade documentation, and
- Bolster India’s global reputation as a reliable trading partner.
As the platform matures, DGFT plans to onboard more laboratories, including those from private sectors and other commodity boards, expanding its reach across the full spectrum of India’s export-import commodities.
Conclusion
The launch of Bharat Aayat Niryat Lab Setu represents a forward-looking step in India’s journey toward digital trade facilitation and quality governance. By unifying stakeholders on a single transparent platform, the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to efficiency, reliability, and global competitiveness in trade.
With Lab Setu, India moves closer to realizing its vision of a digitally empowered, trusted, and seamless export-import ecosystem, where every test, every report, and every transaction reinforces the strength of “Brand India” in global markets.
***