India Regulatory News

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals) officially withdrew three Quality Control Orders (QCOs. The decision was notified by the Ministry of Chemicals an...

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals) officially withdrew three Quality Control Orders (QCOs. The decision was notified by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers through Gazette notifications issued on July 23, 2025.

The following Quality Control Orders have been officially withdrawn with immediate effect:

•  Acetic Acid (QCO) Order, 2019 – Notification No. S.O. 2791(E)
•  Methanol (QCO) Order, 2019 – Notification No. S.O. 2793(E)
•  Aniline (QCO) Order, 2019 – Notification No. S.O. 2792(E)

These QCOs, which previously mandated BIS certification for import, manufacture, and sale of the above chemicals, have been withdrawn in the public interest, under Section 16 read with Section 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, following consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Effective Date:
The withdrawal is applicable from July 23, 2025, the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) has officially notified the inclusion of six new insecticides in the Schedule of the Insecticides Act, 1...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) has officially notified the inclusion of six new insecticides in the Schedule of the Insecticides Act, 1968 through Notification S.O. 2703(E), dated June 13, 2025. 

The Insecticides Act, 1968 regulates the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides in India to ensure the safe and effective use of insecticides while minimizing risk to human health, animal welfare, and the environment. The Act also aims to support effective pest control in agriculture and public health through structured regulation and periodic review of permitted substances. 

Newly Notified Insecticides 

In exercise of powers under sub-clause (ii) of clause (e) of section 3 of the Insecticides Act, and following consultation with the Central Insecticides Board, the Central Government amended the Schedule to include the following six insecticides: 

These additions reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the pest management ecosystem, respond to evolving agricultural challenges, and regulate the use of new chemical compounds entering the market. The inclusion of these substances is expected to enhance farmers’ access to modern crop protection tools while ensuring environmental and public safety. 

About the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is the nodal body responsible for formulating and implementing policies and programs that enhance agricultural productivity and safeguard farmers’ interests. Its mandate includes oversight of crop production, plant protection, agricultural mechanization, crop insurance, and the distribution of essential agricultural inputs. The department works in close coordination with state governments, research institutions, and international organizations to ensure sustainable and farmer-centric agricultural growth throughout India. 

Conclusion

The amendment is a significant regulatory update to the Insecticides Act, 1968, which reinforces the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe and effective use of agrochemicals in India. Stakeholders in the agriculture and chemical sectors, including manufacturers, importers, and regulatory bodies, are advised to take note of these additions for compliance and implementation. 

As the focus of global trade shifts from tariffs to technical regulations, India’s chemical and petrochemical industries are under increasing pressure to strengthen their regulatory frameworks. The ...

As the focus of global trade shifts from tariffs to technical regulations, India’s chemical and petrochemical industries are under increasing pressure to strengthen their regulatory frameworks. The introduction of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) is seen as a crucial step towards aligning with international standards and protecting domestic markets. 

Global Trends Drive Regulatory Action 

Countries such as China, the US, and EU Member States have reinforced non-tariff measures (NTMs), such as product standards and conformity assessments, to protect their markets. India is following suit, by increasingly using QCOs to regulate sectors such as chemicals, electronics, and food-contact materials. 

QCOs Expand, but Challenges Remain 

India has now notified over 105 QCOs, covering more than 1,000 chemical substances. While this signals progress, experts note that further investment in testing infrastructure and enforcement capacity is still needed. 

According to Anupam Razi, a former director at Underwriters Laboratories and a member of the BIS Technical Committee, QCOs help close regulatory gaps and protect against low-quality imports. Recent improvements include faster testing times for PVC resin and expanded licensing for companies adapting to the updated QCOs. 

Strengthening Market Surveillance 

Despite these steps, delays in implementation have contributed to market risks, particularly in sectors such as polymers and agrochemicals. Experts stress that robust enforcement and stronger market surveillance will be essential for India to support domestic manufacturing and meet global trade expectations. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a draft second revision of IS 4668:20XX, the Indian Standard for ammonium nitrate used in explosives. The draft, titled “Ammonium Nitrate for Explosiv...

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a draft second revision of IS 4668:20XX, the Indian Standard for ammonium nitrate used in explosives. The draft, titled “Ammonium Nitrate for Explosives – Specification (Second Revision)”, was open for public consultation until June 8, 2025. 
 
Ammonium nitrate is widely used in both military and commercial explosive formulations, and the revised standard emphasizes enhanced quality specifications, safety, and testing precision through updated methods and limits. 

Key Highlights of the Revised Standard:

Expanded Instrumental Testing: Advanced test methods such as ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and ion chromatography have been added. 

  • Grade 1 – For ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil) 
  • Grade 2 – For slurry type explosives 
  • Grade 3 – For nitroglycerine-based explosives 
  • Grade 4 – For defense purposes 

and sizes: 

  • Grade 1: 0.8 mm to 2.8 mm 
  • Grade 2: 2.9 mm to 100 mm 
  • Grades 3 & 4: As per mutual agreement 

The characteristics and requirements for ammonium nitrate for explosives have been specified as follows: 

Compliance and Certification 

Ammonium nitrate products that conform to this revised standard will be eligible for Standard Mark certification under the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) conformity assessment schemes as per the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. 

This standard brings India’s explosives sector into line with the latest safety, quality, and environmental best practices, ensuring improved manufacturing and handling protocols. 

The Indian Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has extended the implementation deadlines for the quality control orders (QCOs) for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) homopolymers and polypropylene...

The Indian Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has extended the implementation deadlines for the quality control orders (QCOs) for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) homopolymers and polypropylene (PP) materials for moulding and extrusion.

• PVC Homopolymers: According to the notification published on 20 June 2025, the effective date of the Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Homopolymers (Quality Control) Order, 2025 has been extended to 26 December 2025.

• Polypropylene Materials: A separate notification, published on 23 June 2025, extends the compliance date for the Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Order, 2025, to 26 December 2025.

Both orders fall under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) framework and require mandatory BIS certification before these materials can be placed on the Indian market.

India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has issued the Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, further amending the original 2022 ...

India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has issued the Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, further amending the original 2022 Quality Control Order. The latest amendment was published in the Official Gazette on 11 June 2025 and came into force on that date.

Key Changes Introduced by the 2025 Amendment

The 2025 amendment introduces two modifications to the exemption list introduced by the 2024 amendment:

• Deletion of Item (c): The previous exemption for Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Butene Grades has now been removed, meaning this material will become subject to the mandatory BIS certification requirements under the Quality Control Order.

• Addition of a New Exemption: A new exemption has been introduced for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for pharmaceutical moulding (EP/USP grade, CAS No. 25087-34-7), specifically for the manufacture of disposable hypodermic syringe plungers and IV catheter/cannula components.

These changes continue the government’s phased tightening of quality control requirements for polyethylene materials, while maintaining targeted exemptions for critical medical and industrial applications.

The full text of the amendment is available here.

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has extended the enforcement dates for Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for three chemicals: H Acid (CAS No: 90-20-0), K Acid (Cas No: 118-03-6), and Vinyl ...

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has extended the enforcement dates for Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for three chemicals: H Acid (CAS No: 90-20-0), K Acid (Cas No: 118-03-6), and Vinyl Sulphone (CAS No: 16071-86-6). The updated dates were announced in a notification published in the Gazette of India on 14 May 2025, in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The QCOs were originally published on 14 November 2024.  

Chemicals and Revised Enforcement Dates:    

The Quality Control Order mandates that the substances in questioncarry the certification mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards, ensuring that the existing rules remain in force until the implementation of the new QCOs.