India notifies Quality Control Order for Asbestos and Fibre Cement-Based Products to WTO

On 21 September 2023, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified the draft of a new regulation called the Asbestos or Fiber Cement-Based Products (Quality Control) Regulations 2023 to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The deadline for comments is 60 days from the date of notification. The draft of the Quality Control Order (QCO) can be found here.  

Asbestos 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It is an excellent thermal and electrical insulator and is highly fire resistant. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to various dangerous lung conditions including asbestosis and lung cancer. 

Asbestos cement (fibre cement) products are made from a mixture of chrysotile fibres (9%), cement (about 40%), fly ash (about 30%), the rest wood pulp and water. 

Purpose 

The purpose of this regulation is to protect human health or safety and the environment, to prevent deceptive practices, to protect consumers and to enforce quality requirements.  

Conformity to the standard and compulsory use of the Standard Mark  

The purpose of this QCO is to ensure that asbestos and fibre-cement based products conform to the Indian standard relevant for the specific product (see table below) and bear the standard mark under license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as per Scheme I of Schedule II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations 2018. The use of the standard mark is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and the rules and regulations made thereunder. The Bureau of Indian Standards is the certifying and enforcing authority for the goods or articles specified in the table. 

Timeline 

This regulation shall come into force six months after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. 

Penalty 

Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the QCO for asbestos is punishable under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.