Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), New Delhi, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, was recognized as a Regional Customs Laboratory (RCL) of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for Asia-Pacific Region.  In a virtual signing ceremony Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General, WCO and Mr. M. Ajit Kumar, Chairman, CBIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this behalf.

Established in 1939, CRCL is the headquarters of 14 Revenue Laboratories, including 2 laboratories working at Government Opium & Alkaloid Works, Ghazipur & Neemuch.  These laboratories have been upgraded extensively in past 3 years and new state-of-art equipments, costing about ₹ 80 crore, have been installed.  With the introduction of instrument based testing, Revenue Laboratories are, now, facilitating faster clearances, without compromising on law enforcement, and thereby playing a vital role in trade facilitation.

With its recognition as RCL, CRCL joins a select group of Customs Laboratories in the region like those in Japan & Korea.  On this occasion, Secretary General Mr. Kunio Mikuriya complimented the Indian Customs Administration and the CRCL for achieving this distinction.  Mr. M. Ajit Kumar, Chairman, CBIC underlined the active role played by India in Customs co-operation and reiterated the commitment of Indian Customs Administration to play a leading role in the region through this newly recognised Regional Customs Laboratory.

Regional Customs Laboratory recognition expands CRCL's role in customs testing and trade facilitation across the Asia Pacific. Recognition of Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) as a Regional Customs Laboratory of the World Customs Organisation under a Memorandum of Understanding formalises CRCL's role in regional customs testing and technical cooperation. Recent investments in modern analytical equipment and adoption of instrument based testing across the revenue laboratory network are described as enabling faster clearances while preserving enforcement, thereby enhancing CRCL's contribution to trade facilitation and customs cooperation.