India Regulatory News

On 14 November 2024, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), issued a notification to implement Quality Control Orders (QCOs) ...

On 14 November 2024, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), issued a notification to implement Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for three critical chemicals: H Acid (CAS No: 90-20-0), K Acid (Cas No: 118-03-6), and Vinyl Sulphone (CAS No: 16071-86-6). These orders aim to enhance safety and quality in the industrial chemicals sector and are based on drafts published on 26 July 2024. 

Key Requirements under the New QCOs 

These chemicals must conform to Indian Standards and must bear the standard mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 governs the use of Standard Marks, with the Bureau of Indian Standards as the certifying and enforcing authority. Chemicals intended for export are exempted from this order. 

Standards for the notified chemicals 

Date of Enforcement 

The QCOs will come into force on 13 May 2025 (180 days after publication). The full text of the Gazette Notification can be found here. 

On October 24, 2024, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, through the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, issued amendments to the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for acrylonitrile, maleic...

On October 24, 2024, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, through the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, issued amendments to the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride and styrene, reinforcing the government's commitment to maintaining high standards in chemical manufacturing. In addition, the QCO for morpholine was amended on October 30, 2024. 

Key Amendments 

• Acrylonitrile (Quality Control) Order, 2022: The new implementation date is October 24, 2025. 

Note: The principal Order was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide notification number S.O. 1646(E) on April 5, 2022, and subsequently amended by notifications S.O. 4600(E) on September 29, 2022, S.O. 1787(E) on April 18, 2023, and S.O. 1464(E) on March 18, 2024. 

• Maleic Anhydride (Quality Control) Order, 2022: The new implementation date is also October 24, 2025. 

Note: The principal Order was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide notification number S.O. 1644(E) on April 5, 2022, and subsequently amended by notifications S.O. 4598(E) on September 29, 2022, S.O. 1788(E) on April 18, 2023, S.O. 1986(E) (Corrigendum) on May 1, 2023, S.O. 4233(E) on September 26, 2023, and S.O. 1466(E) on March 18, 2024. 

• Styrene (Vinyl Benzene) (Quality Control) Order, 2022: The new implementation date is also October 24, 2025. 

Note: The principal Order was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide notification number S.O. 1645(E), dated April 5, 2022 and subsequently amended vide notification numbers S.O. 4599(E), dated September 29, 2022, S.O. 1786(E), dated April 18, 2023 and S.O. 1465(E), dated March 18, 2024. 

• Morpholine (Quality Control) Order, 2020:  Implementation date extended to May 1, 2025. 

Note: The principal Order for Morpholine was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) vide notification number S.O. 1893(E) on June 16, 2020, and subsequently amended by notifications S.O. 2030(E) on May 25, 2021, S.O. 399(E) on January 31, 2022, S.O. 3457(E) on July 27, 2022, S.O. 529(E) on February 2, 2023, S.O. 3291(E) on July 21, 2023, S.O. 373(E) on January 30, 2024, and S.O. 3076(E) on August 1, 2024. 

These amendments are part of the Central Government's ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and industry standards by ensuring that chemicals used in various applications meet stringent quality benchmarks. 

For more details, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to refer to the notifications published in the Official Gazette here and here. 

India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has extended the enforcement date of the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for six fatty acids. The notifications were published in the Gazette ...

India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has extended the enforcement date of the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for six fatty acids. The notifications were published in the Gazette of India on 22 October 2024 in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The QCOs were originally published on 27 April 2022. 

The revised implementation dates and corresponding standards for the fatty acids are as follows:    

The Quality Control Order mandates that the substances concerned must carry the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification mark to ensure compliance with the specified standards until the implementation of the new QCOs.   

India’s Ministry of Mines is seeking comments on the draft Quality Control Order (QCO) for four metals. The draft was notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 12 September 2024 in accordanc...

India’s Ministry of Mines is seeking comments on the draft Quality Control Order (QCO) for four metals. The draft was notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 12 September 2024 in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The final date for the comments is 60 days from the date of notification i.e. 11 November 2024.  

In addition to the WTO consultation, the Ministry of Mines invites comments from all industry users, industry bodies and relevant stakeholders on the draft QCOs within a period of 60 days from the date of notification on the Ministry's website (28 August 2024). Only comments and suggestions received within the specified timeframe will be considered by the Ministry of Mines. Information on how to submit comments can be found here. 

The chemicals and the corresponding standards are as follows: 

The Quality Control Order mandates both domestic and foreign manufacturers to adhere to the relevant Indian Standards i.e., IS 209:2024, IS 2782:2023, IS 27:2023 and IS 26: 2024 and the concerned substances to carry the certification mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards, thus ensuring that the existing rules remain in force until the new QCOs are implemented. 

On 26 September 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published the Ecomark Rules, 2024 in the Official Gazette, replacing the Ecomark Scheme of 1991. This update is in...

On 26 September 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published the Ecomark Rules, 2024 in the Official Gazette, replacing the Ecomark Scheme of 1991. This update is in line with the ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) mission, which aims to increase demand for eco-friendly products and promote sustainable living. The new rules came into force on the day of their publication.

Objectives of the Ecomark Scheme

The new scheme aims to encourage lower energy consumption, resource efficiency, and the promotion of a circular economy. The scheme seeks to prevent inaccurate labelling, misleading claims and to raise awareness about the products concerned.

Accreditation and Environmental Standards

Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will adhere to strict environmental standards, ensuring they have a low impact on environment. This initiative will not only build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainable consumption, but will also motivate manufacturers to adopt greener production practices.

Implementation and Global Impact

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will implement the scheme in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This initiative is an important step taken by the government to reduce of carbon footprint and promote environmentally conscious consumption in India. This move is in line with global sustainability goals and underlines the governments’ dedication to environmental management.

The full text of the notification with full details on conditions and procedures can be found here.

On 1 October 2024, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) issued a notification amending the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers (Quality Control) Order, 2022. This latest update, entitle...

On 1 October 2024, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) issued a notification amending the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers (Quality Control) Order, 2022. This latest update, entitled the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024, introduces a new implementation date for the Order.

New Implementation Date Set for 2025

The amendment extends the implementation date to 3 October 2025. The original Order, published on 5 April 2022, has been updated several times, underlining the Government’s commitment to maintaining rigorous quality standards for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers.

This amendment is effective immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

On September 23, 2024, the Department of Chemical and Petrochemicals (DCPC) issued notifications under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, amending the p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2021, a...

On September 23, 2024, the Department of Chemical and Petrochemicals (DCPC) issued notifications under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, amending the p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2021, and the Polyurethanes (Quality Control) Order, 2021. These amendments, officially titled the p-Xylene (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024, and the Polyurethanes (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024, were announced and came into effect upon their publication in the Official Gazette.

According to the notification, the new implementation date for the two chemicals has been changed to March 19, 2025.

The Principal Orders, originally published on September 13, 2021, for p-Xylene and October 10, 2021, for Polyurethanes, have undergone several amendments, with the latest changes reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards of quality control for these substances.