India, Feb. 11 -- In a major regulatory overhaul aimed at tightening quality checks and curbing adulteration risks, the Tea Board of India has made laboratory testing mandatory for all imported tea consignments entering the country from May 1, 2026.

In its directive No. 01/2026 dated February 10, 2026, the Board announced that every import consignment will undergo compulsory sampling and testing under a newly notified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The move follows recommendations made by the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce in its 194th report, which flagged rising imports and potential quality risks and called for stricter monitoring, transparency, and protection of Indian tea's global reputation. ...