Europe India Centre for Business and Industry OU
EICBI OU
Europe India Centre for Business and Industry and its associate organisation has been playing a key role in promoting EU India/ UK India relations.
ID: 423661050520-44
Lobbying Activity
Response to Evaluation of EU Rules of Origin
20 Nov 2025
The assessment of the European Union's Rules of Origin framework is particularly important for India, given the depth and scale of economic ties between the two partners. India ranks among the EU's leading trading partners, with bilateral goods trade reaching 120 billion in 2024. Key Indian export sectors including textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and automotive components maintain deeply integrated production networks with the EU economy. In this context, a framework that determines product origin and thereby prescribes access to preferential or non-preferential tariff treatment carries direct implications for Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs and industries operating through fragmented production processes reliant on inputs sourced from multiple countries. The attached file has more details on our feedback.
Read full responseResponse to Evaluation and Revision of the Chips Act ("Chips Act 2.0")
11 Oct 2025
The extension of EU funding under Horizon Europe and InvestEU guarantees presents a significant opportunity for Indian companies to engage in joint R&D projects on next-generation chip architectures and process technologies. Indian design houses with proven expertise in analog and mixed-signal IP development are well-positioned to contribute to EU-led microelectronics research consortia, provided funding mechanisms explicitly facilitate non-EU participation and co-funding arrangements. However, for Indian firms, the concern we see is regarding the environmental compliance requirements embedded in Chips Act 2. Mandated lifecycle carbon assessments and stringent water-usage reduction targets will necessitate substantial investments in cleaner manufacturing processes and advanced effluent treatment systems. To ensure Indian suppliers can compete, the Commission should consider transitional support or capacity-building grants for technology upgrades aligned with EU Green Deal objectives. Security and supply chain transparency measures under the Act, such as compulsory cybersecurity certifications for chip design and production are welcome as it aims to demonstrate highest standards of trustworthiness. Nonetheless, the administrative burden and cost of achieving EU-recognised certifications may pose barriers for SMEs. EICBI recommends establishing simplified certification pathways and mutual recognition agreements that acknowledge equivalent Indian standards to avoid duplication and reduce time-to-market. Lastly, the anticipated demand for skilled engineers and designers in the EU semiconductor ecosystem underscores the need for collaborative workforce development initiatives. Indian firms stand ready to participate in exchange programmes, internships, and joint training curricula with the European Chips Skills Academy to build a talent pipeline capable of meeting Chips Act 2 priorities. EICBI encourages the Commission to formalise India-EU skills partnerships, including remote and in-person modules, to mitigate the projected shortage of 350,000 professionals by 2030.
Read full responseResponse to Revision of EU rules on textile labelling
29 Sept 2023
Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI) has reached out to textile companies in India who export their products to EU to get feedback on the proposed new EU rules on textile labelling. The following points offer a concise overview of the main takeaways from our discussions with leaders in the Indian textile industry. The proposed textile labeling rules will require detailing the composition, environmental impact, social impact, recyclability, and percentage of recycled content. This will necessitate changes to production processes, supply chains, product design, material sourcing, data collection, and reporting procedures. Costs are expected to increase due to investments in new equipment, compliance measures, monitoring systems, certifications, and modifications across the supply chain. The increased transparency could boost consumer trust and position the company as an ethical, sustainable brand. Sourcing recyclable and compostable materials will be crucial to meet the new standards. While companies currently lacks expertise in labeling recycled content percentages, they intend to leverage external guidance to build this capability. Overall, the new rules will require substantial modifications but offer potential benefits in terms of competitive edge, reputation, and sustainability impact. Compliance will likely involve significant initial investments and ongoing costs.
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