India Regulatory News

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) amended the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations 2018, allowing for the use of recycled plastics in food contact materials (FCM) w...

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) amended the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations 2018, allowing for the use of recycled plastics in food contact materials (FCM) with certain restrictions. The update clarifies the ambiguity caused by an amendment to India's plastic waste management rules published last September. The amendment permitted the use of recycled plastic in FCMs, in contrast to the 2018 packaging regulations, which prohibited its use. The amendment serves as a stopgap measure until the draught Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations 2022 are completed. However, it is unknown how long it will take for the new legislation to take effect.

In 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India prohibited the use of recycled plastics in food contact. The recent change has "shocked experts and environmental activists," according to The Times of India. According to Vijay Habbu of the Institute of Chemical Technology, when a plastic product is recycled, "there is some degradation of the plastic with the generation of contaminants or impurities." Most of the time, the contaminants are unknown. As a result, there are no reliable test methods for detecting and determining impurities that can seriously endanger human life and the environment."

As part of its drive to use safer alternatives, India has imposed restrictions on certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), requiring importers and exporters to obtain g...

As part of its drive to use safer alternatives, India has imposed restrictions on certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), requiring importers and exporters to obtain government permission before trading.

The new rules, which were introduced as amendments to India's existing HFC export and import policies, went into effect on March 9 for importers and March 23 for exporters via Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT) notifications. Before entering into agreements with overseas buyers or suppliers, domestic HFC and ODS manufacturers, exporters, and importers must obtain "no objection certificates" (NOCs) from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). In August of last year, India ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, committing to an 85 percent reduction in HFC production and consumption by 2047. According to a MoEFCC spokesperson, the international trade restrictions are intended to "align domestic HFC user industries with the government's goal of reducing use of the substances and a gradual shift to the use of alternatives."

The Indian Government proposes a new Draft National Policy for Medical Devices, 2022, to reduce India's reliance on high-end medical device imports. The government intends to adopt public-private p...

The Indian Government proposes a new Draft National Policy for Medical Devices, 2022, to reduce India's reliance on high-end medical device imports. The government intends to adopt public-private partnerships to reduce healthcare costs, increase efficiency, and improve the quality of medical devices manufactured in the country.

Among the key proposals are:

·       The use of tax breaks and refunds to encourage the export of medical devices and related technology projects.

·       Increasing government spending on "high-risk" medical device projects

·       A single-window clearance system to be used for the licencing of medical devices.

·       Pricing environment with no price control on newly developed sector innovation

·       A dedicated fund to be established for encouraging collaborative research among existing industry players, reputable academic institutions, and start-ups.

·       Incorporate a framework for consistent pricing regulation to make high-quality, cost-effective medical devices available to all citizens at reasonable prices.

·       The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will be strengthened with adequate manpower and appropriate expertise to provide effective price regulation while balancing the needs of patients and industries.

India started consultation on a draft international standard (IS) for sodium hypochlorite, also known as bleach. The item is described as an inorganic chemical widely used as bleach liquor. It is g...

India started consultation on a draft international standard (IS) for sodium hypochlorite, also known as bleach. The item is described as an inorganic chemical widely used as bleach liquor. It is generally sold in aqueous solutions, according to the draft published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on February 21.

Bleach is considered a significant safety risk by the BIS due to the substance’s corrosive characteristics, widespread availability, and reaction products. 

These follow the provisions of five other standards:

1.     Glossary of terms relating to chemical and radiation hazards, as well as hazardous chemicals (IS 4155: 1966);

2.     Guide for selection of industrial safety equipment for body protection (IS 8519: 1977);

3.     Guide for selection of industrial safety equipment for eye, face, and ear protection (IS 8520: 1977);

4.     Guide for selection of industrial safety equipment for protection of arms and hands (IS 8807: 1978);

5.     Guide for selection of industrial safety equipment for protection of arms and hands (IS 88 (IS 10667: 1983).

In addition, the proposal suggests that substance containers be marked or labeled to identify:

·       The manufacturer's or importer's name and address.

·       The contents of the container; and the physical, chemical, and toxicological data as specified in the relevant Schedule of the Hazardous Chemicals Manufacture, Storage, and Import Rules 1989.

Furthermore, if sodium hypochlorite poses, or is likely to pose, health dangers in the workplace, the draught mandates the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Employers would be responsible for selecting and providing suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees, ensuring that it is used properly, and training them on all elements of the PPE.

The consultation period will end on April 22, 2022.

On March 10, 2022, the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals publishes its decision to extend the Quality Control Order implementation date for five chemical products. The new date is Septembe...

On March 10, 2022, the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals publishes its decision to extend the Quality Control Order implementation date for five chemical products. The new date is September 12, 2022. The concerned chemical products are Ethylene Dichloride, Vinyl Chloride Monomer, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, and Polycarbonate. 

You can view the official gazette here. 

The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals on March 11, 2022, published its decision to extend the Quality Control Order implementation date for six chemical products. The new implementation ...

The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals on March 11, 2022, published its decision to extend the Quality Control Order implementation date for six chemical products. The new implementation date is September 13, 2022. The concerned chemical products are:

1. Acetone (Quality Control) Order, 2020

2. Gamma Picoline (Quality Control) Order, 2020

3. Beta Picoline (Quality Control) Order, 2020

4. Potassium Carbonate (Quality Control) Order, 2020

5. Pyridine (Quality Control) Order, 2020

6. Sodium Tripolyphosphate (Quality Control) Order, 2020

You can view the official gazette here. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards launch a consultation on a draught amended standard for terephthalic acid, which includes new standards, sampling techniques, and testing on February 23, 2022.The fi...

The Bureau of Indian Standards launch a consultation on a draught amended standard for terephthalic acid, which includes new standards, sampling techniques, and testing on February 23, 2022.

The first edition of the standard was released in 2001. In this (first) iteration, test procedures for determining colour, ash, and acid value have been updated to reflect the most recent technological advances. The HPLC method for determining the amount of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4-CBA) and p-toluic acid (p-TA) has also been changed. The test technique for determining p-toluic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde, and benzoic acid in purified terephthalic acid using normal voltage mode capillary electrophoresis, as well as the test method for determining titanium in Annex E, have been incorporated. IS 15030: 2001 Amendment No. 1 has been incorporated into this revision.

Terephthalic acid is a popular constituent in paints, synthetic fibres, and resins, as well as a step in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for liquid packing and polyester films.

Because of the substance's flammable and explosive properties, the BIS has proposed modifying the standard. This includes the following requirements: 

The technique for obtaining representative samples of the material and the compliance criteria shall be as specified in IS 5299, section 4. The BIS is soliciting comments through March 19 on the modifications to Indian Standard (IS) 15030:2001.

Kindly refer https://www.gpcgateway.com/uploads/media/Nb5PCtiqypot4lwCTxsyqdsWm.pdf for more information.