Regulatory Liaising & Licensing Services
Navigation for Foreign Entities

Regulatory Liaising & Licensing Services for Foreign Businesses

The VCL Stance: Clear Navigation Through Regulatory Demands. International companies operating in India face diverse compliance obligations across local, state, and central government authorities. At Vera Causa Legal, our Global Services desk assists foreign enterprises in obtaining sector-specific licenses and managing regulatory communication. We focus on providing clear, factual counsel to ensure operations remain compliant with Indian statutory standards, preventing administrative delays and compliance lapses.

II. Sector-Specific Licensing & Approvals

Different industries require specific federal and state approvals before commencing commercial operations:

• Manufacturing & Industrial Licenses: Securing approvals under the Factories Act, 1948, and licenses from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) or the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) where applicable.

• Telecommunications & Tech (OSP): Registration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for Other Service Providers (OSP) and compliance with IT security guidelines.

• Environmental Clearances: Obtaining Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) under the Air and Water Pollution Control Acts.

III. Customs, Import, and Trade Regulatory Navigation

Custom Evaluations and Trade Registrations

Foreign entities importing capital goods or raw materials must address customs regulations:

• Import Export Code (IEC): Securing the mandatory IEC from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to conduct cross-border trade.

• Special Valuation Branch (SVB): Representing foreign companies before the Customs SVB to verify that transactions with parent companies are conducted at arm's length, preventing transfer pricing disputes.

• Sector-Specific Customs Clearances: Navigating compliance under the Customs Act, 1962, for technical machinery and specialized goods.

IV. Ongoing Regulatory Communication & Governance

Structured Liaising and Liaison Audits

Operating in a foreign jurisdiction requires structured engagement with regulatory bodies to address compliance updates:

• MCA Audit & Rectification: Reviewing secretarial records to ensure compliance with the Companies Act, 2013 and resolving regulatory queries.

• RBI Communication: Addressing queries from the Reserve Bank of India regarding FDI capital inflows, external commercial borrowings (ECB), and compliance with foreign exchange regulations.

• Regulatory Audits: Conducting compliance audits of local operations to identify and rectify regulatory gaps before statutory audits occur.