Kerala Brand: Directorate Identifies 10 Products for Certification

Speedy Summary:

• The Directorate of Industries and Commerce conducted a thorough survey across Kerala with 1,124 manufacturing units as part of the first phase of the ‘Kerala Brand’ project.
• The survey assessed product quality, production processes, ethical/sustainable practices, and safety standards.
• Findings from the survey will inform a certification framework that allows eligible products to carry the ‘Kerala Brand’ label for better market acceptance domestically and globally.
• Initial products selected for certification include coffee, tea, honey, ghee, bottled water, plywood, footwear, PVC pipes, surgical rubber gloves, and cattle feed; coconut oil was certified earlier under this initiative.
• Industries Minister P. Rajeeve emphasized that this project is pivotal for Kerala’s industrial policy as it aims to promote high-quality reliable products globally.
• The study team included officials from District Industries Centres and other industrial support staff who gathered data directly via visits to manufacturing units statewide.
• director P. Vishnu Raj highlighted that the collected data would help develop guidelines for improving product standards.

Published Date: September 16, 2025

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The ‘Kerala Brand’ initiative reflects an enterprising step towards elevating Kerala’s manufacturing sector by focusing on global-quality certifications. By selecting diverse products-ranging from food items like honey and tea to industrial goods such as PVC pipes-the program caters both to consumer goods markets and specialized industries. This approach could lead to stronger branding for local manufacturers in competitive international markets while boosting consumer trust through certified reliability.

The reliance on thorough field data gathered during factory evaluations showcases diligence in policymaking by addressing actual ground-level challenges. Additionally, integrating ethical and sustainable practices aligns well with growing global concerns about environmentally responsible production.

Overall implications include strengthening local businesses’ capacities while emphasizing export potential-a move that may gradually reduce dependency on external brands within India itself. However enhanced feedback mechanisms post-certification should ensure sustained improvement across sectors participating in this ambitious framework once operational.

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