The Spices Board is a statutory entity that was established with effect from 26.02.1987 under the Spices Board Act, 1986 (10 of 1986), by uniting the formerly existing Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion Council under the operational supervision of the Department of Commerce. 52 spices are specified in the schedule of the Spices Board Act of 1986, and the Spices Board is in charge of the general development of the cardamom sector and export promotion of those 52 spices.