India consults on carbon tetrachloride standard

India holds a public consultation on a draft standard for carbon tetrachloride, which is widely used as a solvent and diluent. The deadline is June 28.

The chemical is also used to make chlorofluoromethane refrigerants, as well as grain fumigants, fire extinguishing mixtures, and moth control.

If approved, this would be the third version of Indian Standard (IS) 718, which was published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in April. The draft lays forth the requirements, sampling techniques, and testing procedures for carbon tetrachloride. Because carbon disulphide (CS₂) is no longer utilised, it has been removed from the requirements.

Given the BIS's findings that carbon tetrachloride is one of the most hazardous solvents, all handling must adhere to a variety of different Indian regulations, including IS 5311:1969, the substance's code of safety.

The proposed standard says that it must be chlorine-free, and it must be used in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Maximum non-volatile matter content of 0.002 percent by mass.
• maximum moisture content of 0.01 percent by mass and
• maximum methyl chloride, methylene chloride, and chloroform content of 0.025 percent by mass – used alone or in combination.

It also advises against storing in plain steel or cast-iron drums, preferring galvanised or epoxy-lined mild steel containers or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums. The following information must be written on these:

• name of the material.
• name of the producer and, if applicable, its recognised trademark.
• month and year of manufacture.
• lot or batch number.
• net weight and
• any additional legal requirements

If the draft is accepted, products that meet the requirements will be certified by the BIS and labelled with the conformity mark.