The Indian government will support micro and small enterprises by covering certification costs required to access international markets under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced.

The initiative aims to help exporters overcome the financial burden of international testing, inspection, certification and compliance requirements. The government will also support eligible enterprises in meeting European Union regulations, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Approved in November 2025 with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore over six financial years, the EPM operates through two sub-schemes: Niryat Protsahan, allocated ₹10,401 crore, and Niryat Disha, allocated ₹14,659 crore.

Under the Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE) component, eligible MSME exporters can receive financial assistance for approved certifications. Support covers 60% of the actual certification cost, excluding taxes, or up to ₹25 lakh, whichever is lower, for certifications on the Positive List. For the Priority Positive List, assistance increases to 75%, subject to the same ₹25 lakh limit. The annual assistance cap is ₹25 lakh per exporter.

Eligible businesses must hold a valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and Udyam Registration Number. The initiative is expected to encourage new exporters, support product diversification and help Indian businesses enter new markets.

The announcement comes as India's merchandise exports to the European Union declined by 4.57% to $72.4 billion in 2025–26, highlighting the importance of improving export competitiveness and helping businesses manage international compliance costs.