India Regulatory News

The Bureau of Indian Standards is seeking comments until 24 June on the second revision of the standard for magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salts (Second Revision of IS 2730).     ...

The Bureau of Indian Standards is seeking comments until 24 June on the second revision of the standard for magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salts (Second Revision of IS 2730).  

First standard for Epsom salts 

This standard was first published in 1964 and subsequently revised in 1977. Initially, two Indian Standard specifications were published for magnesium sulphate, IS 257 focusing on technical grade and IS 377 on pharmaceutical grade. These specifications were subsequently merged into IS 2730. 

 In the first revision, changes were made to the magnesium sulphate content limit and the chloride and iron were limits for the technical grade of the material for use in the leather industry. Furthermore, the criteria for pharmaceutical grade were deleted. 

Changes in the second revision of the standard 

• The revised standard proposes that there are two grades of material: pure and technical. 

• The pure grade of the material is used in cosmetics, mineral water, explosives and silk weighting. The technical grade of the material is used in the textile and leather industries where it is used as a tan precipitant for the purpose of fixing tan. It is also used as a micronutrient in fertilizers to meet magnesium deficiency in plants. 

• The material shall be in the form of colourless crystals, soluble in water and sparingly soluble in ethyl alcohol (90 percent v/v). 

• The crystals are liable to become powdery on efflorescence and, unless otherwise agreed to between the purchaser and the supplier, this condition shall not render the material unacceptable. 

• The material shall be packed in airtight containers as agreed between the purchaser and the supplier. The containers used for packing the pure grade shall be lined with polyethylene. 

Additional requirements for Epsom salts are given in the table below. 

Further details of the requirements, methods, marking and sampling and BIS certification marking can be found here: WCCHD17025380_24042024_2.pdf (bis.gov.in) 

The Government of India has taken a step towards ensuring the quality and safety of biostimulants used in agriculture. A new amendment, the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) (Third) A...

The Government of India has taken a step towards ensuring the quality and safety of biostimulants used in agriculture. A new amendment, the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) (Third) Amendment Order, 2024, establishes a stricter regulatory framework for these emerging agricultural products.

Key Changes in the Amendment:

• In Clause 20 C, relating to Specifications in respect of Biostimulants, the term ‘tracer elements’ is added along with active ingredient.

• The new category, ‘Live micro-organisms excluding biofertilizers and biopesticides’ has been added to Schedule VI. The addition of this new category by the Ministry is a positive step for companies in this field. It paves the way for clearer regulations, increased market potential, and ultimately the development of beneficial products for Indian agriculture.

• Toxicity Testing: To support their claims, manufacturers can submit not only the name of the testing institute but also details of the relevant report or publication. Acute and ecotoxicity tests are required, with exemptions for specific categories such as protein hydrolysates and seaweed extracts. Only the manufacturer/importer should submit an affidavit to the effect that their product is non-toxic and shall be safely used as biostimulants.

• Stricter Testing: Manufacturers will need to submit detailed data on the product's composition, effectiveness on crops (bio-efficacy), and potential risks to the environment and human health (toxicity). As more data becomes available on a biostimulant's chemistry effectiveness on crops (bio-efficacy), it may be grouped with similar products and potentially exempted from some testing requirements for specific crops.

• Focus on Safety: The amendment raises the permissible limit for pesticide residues in biostimulants from 0.01 ppm to 1 ppm. It also exempts certain low-risk categories from submitting full toxicity data.

• Manufacturing/Import Restriction: Only approved biostimulants listed in Schedule VI can be manufactured or imported.

Impact:

This amendment is expected to:

• Increase farmer confidence in the quality and safety of biostimulants.

• Encourage the responsible development and marketing of effective biostimulant products.

• Streamline the regulatory environment for manufacturers and importers of biostimulants.

The increased focus on safety and efficacy testing may initially slow the introduction of new biostimulants. However, it is expected to benefit farmers in the long run by ensuring access to reliable and effective products that can improve their agricultural productivity These changes aim to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of biostimulants used in Indian agriculture.

Source

The Government of India has amended the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985 to include several additional fertiliser alternatives. This amendment is aimed at providing farm...

The Government of India has amended the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985 to include several additional fertiliser alternatives. This amendment is aimed at providing farmers with more options to meet their individual crop demands.

Key & new additions to the Schedule include:

• Dispersible Granular Sulfur: This new fertilizer provides a readily available source of sulfur, a crucial nutrient for plant growth.

• NPK, Si, Ca, Mg and NPK, Si, Ca, B Fertilizers: These multi-nutrient blends combine nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) with additional elements like silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and boron (B). These combinations can address specific soil deficiencies and promote overall plant health.

• Sulfur with Zinc Granules: This option combines sulfur with zinc, another essential micronutrient for many crops.

• Liquid Urea Ammonium Sulphate: This liquid fertilizer provides a readily soluble source of nitrogen and sulfur for efficient nutrient uptake.

• Potassium Nitrate with Iodine: This specialized fertilizer provides potassium, nitroge and iodine, which can be beneficial for certain crops and potentially improve their nutritional value.

Furthermore, the amendment changes the ''specifications'' for nano nitrogen fertilisers, allowing for a wider range of particle sizes.

These modifications should help farmers by giving them additional alternatives to tailor fertiliser applications to specific crops and soil conditions. This could potentially contribute to higher agricultural yields and quality. As part of the nano fertilizers category, nano zinc and nano copper are also included with their specifications.

This update to the fertiliser list gives farmers more tools to meet the specific needs of their crops. These amendments can maximise plant health, increase yields and even improve the nutritional content of crops by adding high-sulphur varieties, micronutrients and combinations designed to address certain deficiencies.

Source

On 19 April 2024, the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the Quality Control Order (QC...

On 19 April 2024, the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the Quality Control Order (QCO) on steel and steel products listed in the table below. The notification is open for comments for 60 days.  

Application and Enforcement: The purpose of this QCO is to verify that the steel and steel products listed in the table above comply with the prescribed Indian Standards. The Order requires all manufacturers in India and abroad who intend to export to India steel and steel products listed in the table above to obtain a valid licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards for the use of the Standard Mark before starting regular production of such items. Furthermore, no person shall manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or display for sale any steel or steel products listed in the table which does not conform to the prescribed standards and does not bear the Bureau's standard mark. 

Objective: To improve the standard of steel and steel-related products for the benefit of the public to protect human health and safety as well as the nation's housing, infrastructure and engineering goods. 

Penalty for Contravention: Any person who contravenes the provisions of this order shall be punishable under Section 29 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016). 

On 13 April 2024, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) of India published the Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2024. Background to the Amendment The Orth...

On 13 April 2024, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) of India published the Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2024.

Background to the Amendment

The Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 2335(E), dated 15 June 2021 and subsequently amended vide notification numbers S.O. 4914(E), dated 29 November 2021 and S.O. 2225(E), dated 13 May 2022.

Key Provision of the Amendment

The following provision shall be inserted after the table in the Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021: "Provided that, nothing in this Order shall apply to the Ortho Phosphoric Acid when used as a raw material in the production of fertilizers for a period of ninety days from the date of publication of this notification."

Application and Enforcement

The QCO applies to export chemicals and requires them to conform to IS 798: 2020 Orthophosphoric Acid — Specification and bear the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) Mark under the licence of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Violations will result in penalties under the BIS Act, 2016.

The published draft came into force on 13 April 2024.

On March 15, 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) notified the rules further amending the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 namely the Plastic Waste Management (A...

On March 15, 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) notified the rules further amending the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 namely the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 in the Gazette of India.  

The amendment came into force from the date of publication in the Gazette. With this amendment India is taking a significant step towards tackling plastic pollution. 

The draft rules to amend the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, were first published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2023, inviting objections and suggestions from the public within a period of sixty days. 

Amendments Introduced 

In the amended rules, a few sections have been replaced with new clauses, including for biodegradable plastics under Extended producer Responsibility (EPR). 

 EPR is a waste and pollution management concept that encourages companies to design more sustainable and recyclable products and manufacturing processes. It also places the responsibility on manufacturers to minimize the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle.  

In Rule 3, a few clauses are replaced and added relating to biodegradable plastics, importers, manufacturers, producers and sellers. Similarly, amendments are introduced in the several rules of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2016. 

The following amendments are also included: 

• Requirements for labelling and certification of compostable or biodegradable plastics. 

• Requirements for reporting on quantities of goods placed in the market and pre-consumer waste generated. 

• Responsibility of manufacturers, producers, importers and brand owners for the collection of plastic packaging introduced. 

• Guidelines for working with local authorities on a voluntary basis. 

• Annual reporting mechanisms for various entities involved in plastic waste management. 

Extended Producer Responsibility Targets 

In Schedule II of the Rules, the Extended Producer Responsibility target, category-wise, is given in the table below, as follows:

Minimum level of recycling (excluding end-of-life disposal) of plastic packaging waste 

                                                    (% of Extended Producer Responsibility target) 

The categories are defined as follows: 

Category I: Rigid plastic packaging 

Category II: Flexible plastic packaging of single layer or multilayer, plastic sheets or like and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags, plastics sachet or pouches. 

Category III: Multilayered plastic packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic). 

Further details of the amendments introduced can be found here: 

https://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GSR201(E)-[14032024]-Plastic-Waste-Mangement-Rules-2024.pdf 

On March 7, 2024, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) published notification 69/2023. The notification explains the provisions for the import of inputs that are subjected to mandator...

On March 7, 2024, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) published notification 69/2023. The notification explains the provisions for the import of inputs that are subjected to mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs) by advance authorization (AA) holders and registered export-oriented units (EOUs).

The DGFT has announced exemptions for duty-free imports of goods for final exports, including those in special economic zones (SEZs) and EOUs. However, goods not used for export production will be destroyed by customs officials.

CHEMEXCIL, India's trade body council that represents basic chemicals, cosmetics, and dye exporters, has been consulting with its members regarding this initiative.

While the CHEMEXCIL secretariat has expressed support for the DGFT notification allowing the import of items without mandatory QCOs under AA and SEZ schemes, industry representatives have advocated for mandatory QCOs for all imports, requesting detailed representation.

In a consultation that closed on March 28, 2024, CHEMEXCIL members were asked to share their views on the following questions for onward submission. 

• Do we support the current notification allowing import of specific items without mandatory QCOs under AA and EOU please provide the reasons?

• Are there any concerns regarding potential quality issues due to this policy?

• If we support mandatory QCOs for all imports, then please provide your rationale.