India Regulatory News

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released the Draft Indian Standard for Chromite for Chemical Industries — Specification (Second Revision), which outlines the updated requirements for chromi...

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released the Draft Indian Standard for Chromite for Chemical Industries — Specification (Second Revision), which outlines the updated requirements for chromite used in various chemical industries. This revised standard aims to ensure uniformity, quality, and consistency in the use of chromite for chemical processes, in line with the latest industry needs and regulatory frameworks. 

Key Features of the Standard: 

1. Scope: 
   The standard specifies the detailed requirements and test methods for chromite used in the chemical industry, ensuring that the material meets the essential quality benchmarks for industrial use. 

2. Updated References: 

          The standard references important established norms such as IS 1070:2023 for reagent-grade water and IS 2109:1982 for sampling methods, ensuring alignment with globally recognized standards. 

3. Material Specifications: 

          The chromite material, whether in lump or concentrate form, must be free from dirt and other foreign matter. The standard details specific limits for key components: 

• Chromic oxide (Cr2O3): Minimum 44% 

• Total iron (FeO): Maximum 20% 

• Alumina (Al2O3): Maximum 14% 

• Silica (SiO2): Maximum 7% 

• Lime (CaO): Maximum 3% 

• Magnesia (MgO): Maximum 14% 

4. Packing and Marking: 

The material must be packaged and marked in a manner that ensures clear identification and traceability. Packaging can include open wagons, and labels should feature essential details such as the material's name, its mass, lot number, and manufacturer's information. 

5. BIS Certification: 

Products that conform to the standard may be eligible for BIS certification, further assuring consumers and industries of their quality and adherence to the prescribed criteria. 

6. Sampling and Testing Procedures: 

The standard emphasizes rigorous sampling methods and a structured approach to testing, with specific criteria for individual and composite sample testing. For example, the chromic oxide test involves calculating the mean and range of test results to determine conformity. 

Call for Public Comments 

This Draft Indian Standard is now open for public comments and feedback until 26 March 2025. Stakeholders in the chemical industry are encouraged to review the document and provide suggestions to help refine the specifications. 

By establishing clearer guidelines for chromite quality and testing methods, BIS is ensuring that the chemical industry maintains high standards of safety, consistency, and efficiency, ultimately supporting better industrial practices and products. 

Industry stakeholders can download the full official Draft Indian Standard Doc. CHD 01 (27436) WC here. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a draft of the updated Indian Standard for Sulphuric Acid - Specification (Fifth Revision) for public comments. This draft standard, identified as CHD...

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released a draft of the updated Indian Standard for Sulphuric Acid - Specification (Fifth Revision) for public comments. This draft standard, identified as CHD 01 (27028) WC, December 2024, aims to update the existing guidelines for quality and testing requirements of sulphuric acid in India. The revised standard was open for review and feedback from all relevant stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, and industry experts until 1 February 2025. 

Key Features of the Draft Standard: 

1. Scope: The new draft standard provides comprehensive requirements for sulphuric acid, including methods of sampling and testing to ensure product quality and safety. 

2. Grades of Sulphuric Acid: Four distinct grades are outlined in the draft: 

• Technical grade (Tech) 

• Battery grade (further divided into two sub-grades: concentrated and diluted) 

• Chemically Pure (CP) grade 

• Analytical Reagent (AR) grade  

3.  Grade-Specific Requirements:  Each grade has specific requirements regarding appearance, composition, and impurities. For instance: 

• Technical grade: The acid should be a brownish liquid. 

• Battery grade: Must be a colorless liquid, free of visible impurities. 

• CP and AR grades: These must be clear, colorless, and free from suspended matter. 

4. Optional Requirements: The draft also includes provisions for optional variation of certain chemical properties, such as total acidity and impurities, subject to mutual agreement between suppliers and purchasers. 

5. Packaging and Marking: The draft details packaging guidelines, with specific requirements for containers based on the grade of sulphuric acid. These include the use of polyethylene containers, glass bottles, and steel drums, all fitted with leak-tight stoppers. 

The containers must also bear detailed marking, including information on the material’s grade, manufacturer, expiry date, and handling instructions. In the case of Analytical Reagent grade, the chemical analysis details will be clearly marked. 

6. BIS Certification Mark: Products conforming to the final standard may be eligible for certification under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and may carry the BIS certification mark. 

7. Sampling Method: The draft specifies the method for drawing representative samples for testing to ensure accurate and consistent quality control. 

Feedback and Review Process:  

This draft standard was open for public comments and review until 1 February 2025. Industry participants, including chemical manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and quality assurance experts, were encouraged to submit feedback and suggestions. This collaborative review will ensure that the standard is comprehensive, accurate, and reflective of industry needs. After the review process, the final version of the standard will be released. 

Requirements for Sulphuric Acid: 

Conclusion:  

This update to the Sulphuric Acid - Specification standard reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that the production, handling, and use of sulphuric acid in India meets the highest standards of quality and safety. By opening the draft for public review, BIS aims to incorporate industry insights and improve the document before finalization. 

The full text of the draft Standard can be accessed here- 

On 6 January 2025, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) published the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025, under the powers granted by the Enviro...

On 6 January 2025, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) published the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025, under the powers granted by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These rules apply to entities involved in the production, ownership, testing, and scrapping of vehicles, including electric and battery powered vehicles. However, the rules do not apply to waste batteries, plastic packaging, waste tyres, used oil, and e-waste, which are covered by other regulations. The rules also do not apply to agricultural machinery such as tractors, trailers, harvesters, and power tillers as defined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. 

Centralised Online Portal 

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is required to establish a centralized online portal within six months of the publication of the rules. This portal will:  

• Handle registration and return filing of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) for producers, bulk consumers, and Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF).  

• Track the receipt of ELVs and waste materials generated by RVSFs, ensuring real-time data availability.  

• Enable the exchange of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates between producers and RVSFs to meet EPR obligations.  

The State Board will use this portal to register RVSFs and bulk consumers, as well as for return filing. It will serve as a centralized data repository for all related activities, including issued orders. Producers may assist in the development of the portal. 

Implementation  

The Central Government may form a committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Central Board, to ensure effective implementation of specific rules. The committee will monitor implementation, take necessary actions, and guide the development and operation of a centralized online portal. It must meet at least once every six months and report to the Central Government. The Committee will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Steel, the Bureau of Indian Standards, State Boards, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, and stakeholders such as producers, recyclers, and scrapping facilities, along with any other nominated individuals or organizations. The Committee chairperson can invite additional individuals or organizations to attend meetings if their input is deemed valuable to the discussions. 

Extended Producer Responsibility Targets for ELVs 

The new EPR framework sets out specific obligations for vehicle manufacturers: 

1. EPR targets apply to vehicles based on their category and average lifespan. 

2. Targets include scrapping of steel from End-of-Life vehicles. 

3. EPR for batteries follows the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. 

4. EPR for waste tyres and used oil follows the Hazardous Waste Rules, 2016. 

5. EPR targets are specific to the type of vehicle (transport or non-transport). 

6. Producers fulfil their EPR obligations through certificates from Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities through a centralized portal. 

7. If certificates are unavailable, producers are responsible for the collection of vehicles. 

Entry into Force 

The Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025 will come into force on 1 April 2025. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated a public consultation on a revised standard for potassium iodide which is used as a reagent in analytical chemistry, photography for precipitating si...

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated a public consultation on a revised standard for potassium iodide which is used as a reagent in analytical chemistry, photography for precipitating silver and for medicinal purposes. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments until 26 March 2025.  

Main changes in the revised standard 

The revised standard outlines the requirements, sampling methods, and tests procedures for potassium iodide, in both pure and analytical reagent forms. Main revisions include: 

• Instrumental test methods are added as alternative test methods for the determination of iron, lead, arsenic, chloride, and sulphate. 

• Requirements are added for potassium iodide, pure and analytical reagent, specifying the essential characteristics and their corresponding limits to ensure compliance with the quality standards. 

Detailed Specifications 

The revised standard specifies the following characteristics for pure and analytical reagent grades of potassium iodide: 

Packaging and Labelling Requirements 

• The material shall be in the form of colourless crystals, granules or powder. 

• The material shall be packaged in bottles or drums as agreed to between the purchaser and the supplier. 

• Each container shall be securely closed and legibly and indelibly marked with the following information:  

a) Name and grade of the material;  

b) Name of the manufacturer and recognized trade-mark, if any;  

c) Net mass of the material; and  

d) Lot or batch number, in code or otherwise. 

• In the case of analytical reagent grade, the maximum limits for the characteristics given in the table shall also be given on the label. 

Conformity Assessment 

The product(s) conforming to the requirements of this standard may be certified under the conformity assessment schemes under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder, and the products may be marked with the standard mark. 

Further details of the requirements, sampling and tests methods can be found here. 

On February 14, 2025, the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) received a formal communication from the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) regarding the examination of 49 chemicals for conside...

On February 14, 2025, the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) received a formal communication from the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) regarding the examination of 49 chemicals for consideration of mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification through issuance of a Quality Control Order (QCO). The notification was sent by Manu Yadav, Section Officer (Chemical -II), DCPC, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

The list of chemicals under examination includes a range of essential industrial and consumer chemicals such as disinfectant fluids, stable bleaching powders, acetaldehyde, sodium bicarbonate, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, and adhesives for ceramic and stone tiles. The BIS certification aims to ensure quality standards and regulatory compliance for these chemicals in domestic and international markets.

List of 49 Chemicals Under Consideration for QCOs

A complete list of the 49 chemicals, along with their corresponding Indian Standard (IS) numbers, has been shared with the ICC and its members. Some of the key chemicals include:

• IS 1061:2017 – Disinfectant fluids, phenolic type

• IS 1065 (Part 1):2020 – Stable bleaching powder for household and industrial use

• IS 266:1993 – Sulphuric acid

• IS 333:1980 – Potassium permanganate

• IS 646:2020 – Liquid chlorine

• IS 9850:2001 – Methylisobutyl ketone

• IS 4989:2018 – Foam concentrate for fire-fighting applications

• IS 15477:2019 – Adhesives for ceramic, mosaic, and stone tiles

Call for Industry Participation and Data Submission

The ICC has requested all affected members, industry associations, and manufacturers to provide crucial domestic and trade data for the identified chemicals. The data requested includes:

• Domestic Capacity Data for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25.

• Domestic Production Data for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 (till date).

• Domestic Demand Data for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 (till date).

• Annual Import/Export Data (Quantity-wise and Country-wise) for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 (till date).

• Details of Domestic Manufacturers and their Production Capacity

Deadline for Submission

All industry stakeholders are requested to submit the required data to the ICC at iccmumbai@iccmail.in by February 21, 2025, to facilitate further processing by the government.

Significance of the BIS Certification Initiative

The move to issue QCOs for these chemicals is part of the government’s broader strategy to standardize and regulate the chemical industry in India. Certification will ensure the safety, quality, and reliability of chemical products in line with national and international standards. This step is expected to increase consumer confidence, improve export potential, and promote sustainable industrial practices.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued the draft Indian Standard for Phosphorus Oxychloride, Technical - Specification (Second Revision of IS 11657) for public review and comments. This draft...

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued the draft Indian Standard for Phosphorus Oxychloride, Technical - Specification (Second Revision of IS 11657) for public review and comments. This draft document is open for comments until February 28, 2025. 

Background of IS 11657

The Phosphorus Oxychloride, Technical – Specification standard, first published in 1986 and revised in 2020, aims to ensure that phosphorus oxychloride produced for industrial applications meets specific technical requirements, including the quality and safety parameters essential for its use in industries such as pharmaceuticals, dyestuffs, and pesticides. The draft also incorporates instrumental test methods for the determination of iron and arsenic levels, serving as alternatives to previous methods. 

The second revision of the standard introduces important updates to improve the safety and reliability of the chemical. It includes new test methods, editorial corrections, and an updated reference list. However, the specification does not apply to pharmaceutical or electronic-grade phosphorus oxychloride. 

Key Updates in the Draft Standard

Phosphorus oxychloride (CAS No 10025-87-3) is a critical substance used in the production of phosphoric acid and various esters, and in the manufacture of plasticizers, additives for fuels, and lubricants. The new standards also emphasize handling precautions, noting that phosphorus oxychloride is highly corrosive and reacts violently with water, producing heat and toxic fumes. 

Key Updates

• Incorporation of New Test Methods: Instrumental test methods for arsenic and iron content have been added, offering more accurate alternatives to chemical testing. 

• Revised Quality Standards: The draft lays out clear requirements for the product, including: 

• Boiling range (104-108°C) 

• Relative density at 27°C (1.64-1.67) 

• Minimum assay as POC13 (98%) 

• Maximum allowable arsenic (0.0002%) and iron (0.0005%) 

• Phosphorus trichloride (max 0.3%) 

• Packaging and Labeling Requirements: The draft specifies packaging in polyethylene-lined drums or glass carboys and mandates clear, indelible markings on the containers. Labels must highlight the corrosive nature of the material with appropriate warnings and safety symbols. The label must also contain the caution: "CAUTION – phosphorus oxychloride is highly corrosive. When mixed with water, it decomposes with evolution of heat." 

This draft standard will be instrumental in regulating the use of phosphorus oxychloride and ensuring the safety of industries that rely on this chemical. The Bureau of Indian Standards encourages all stakeholders to submit their feedback and comments by the deadline of February 28, 2025. 

For further details, please refer to the official draft here. 

On February 6, 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released for public consultation a draft of the revised specifications for Lactic Acid, Food Grade (First Revision of IS 9971). The draft, whi...

On February 6, 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released for public consultation a draft of the revised specifications for Lactic Acid, Food Grade (First Revision of IS 9971). The draft, which aims to enhance the safety and quality standards of food-grade lactic acid, is open for stakeholder feedback until February 22, 2025. 

Key Changes in the Draft: 

• Updated Marking Requirements: The new draft incorporates changes to packaging and labeling standards to ensure better consumer information and compliance with legal regulations. 

• Removal of Heavy Metals Requirement: The previous standard's requirement for testing heavy metals has been removed, as the limits for lead are now addressed under a separate standard for food colors. 

Lactic acid, a critical food additive, is commonly used in products ranging from beverages, dairy, meat, and egg-based products to pickles and fruit-based products. It is approved under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. 

Specifications Overview: 

• Chemical Name: Lactic Acid (2-hydroxy propionic acid)  

• Molecular Formula: C3H6O3 

• CAS Number: 50-21-5 

• Physical Characteristics: The substance is described as a yellowish to colorless syrupy liquid with an acidic taste and no odor. 

Compliance and Testing: 

Manufacturers are required to ensure that their products conform to detailed purity and identification tests, including tests for sulfated ash, chlorides, volatile fatty acids, cyanide, methanol, and more. 

Additionally, the final value of test results must comply with the prescribed rounding rules to align with the official standards. 

Storage and Packaging: 

Lactic acid should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent degradation. Containers used for packaging must minimize air exposure to ensure the quality of the product and prevent contamination by metals or other impurities. 

Certification: 

Manufacturers of lactic acid products that meet these revised standards may be eligible to apply for BIS certification, allowing them to mark their products with the BIS Standard Mark. 

For more details, the draft specification and testing guidelines can be accessed on the official BIS portal here. All stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback by February 22, 2025. 

This revision underscores BIS's commitment to enhancing food safety by ensuring that food-grade lactic acid adheres to the highest standards, thereby protecting public health while supporting industry compliance with international best practice.