India Regulatory News

On 12 November 2025, the Government of India, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals) issued a series of orders rescinding fourteen previously notified BIS Qua...

On 12 November 2025, the Government of India, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals) issued a series of orders rescinding fourteen previously notified BIS Quality Control Orders (QCOs) across the chemicals, petrochemicals, and polymer sectors.

These rescissions were made under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and took immediate effect, except for actions already taken or omitted before the rescissions were issued.

Key Notifications Rescinded

Implications for Industry

• These substances are no longer subject to mandatory BIS certification requirements under the rescinded QCOs.
• Manufacturers, importers, and traders dealing in these chemicals and polymers may now operate without the compliance requirements imposed by the rescinded QCOs.
• Any compliance actions already taken under earlier orders remain valid for past conduct.

These orders were issued after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and are based on the opinion that rescinding these QCOs is in the public interest.

On 24 October 2025, the Indian Government officially withdrew the Quality Control Orders for acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, and styrene, which were issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer...

On 24 October 2025, the Indian Government officially withdrew the Quality Control Orders for acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, and styrene, which were issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The withdrawal has been carried out under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, following due consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards and takes effect immediately.

Details of Withdrawal

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), and in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards, the Central Government has rescinded the following notifications issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii):

• S.O. 1646(E), dated 5 April 2022 - Acrylonitrile (Quality Control) Order, 2022
• S.O. 1644(E), dated 5 April 2022 - Maleic Anhydride (Quality Control) Order, 2022
• S.O. 1645(E), dated 5 April 2022 - Styrene (Quality Control) Order, 2022

These orders stand withdrawn with immediate effect.

Conclusion 
By rescinding these 3 Quality Control Orders, the Government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a balanced regulatory framework that protects public interest while ensuring flexibility and ease of compliance for the chemical and manufacturing industries.

On October 1, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, issued an amendment related to the quality control order (QCO) for Et...

On October 1, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, issued an amendment related to the quality control order (QCO) for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers.

The amendment revises the enforcement date of the original Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers (Quality Control) Order, 2022.

Revised Implementation Timeline

The new order, titled Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, specifies that the QCO will now come into force on October 3, 2026, replacing the earlier enforcement date. The amendment itself took effect on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

This extension aims to provide stakeholders with sufficient time to comply with the updated quality standards and reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring product safety and quality control.

On 22 October 2025, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals), issued the Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Ex...

On 22 October 2025, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals), issued the Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2025.

The original Quality Control Order was first published on 26 February 2024 via S.O. 921(E), and has since undergone multiple amendments:

• S.O. 3594(E) – 23 August 2024
• S.O. 5553(E) – 24 December 2024
• S.O. 2788(E) – 23 June 2025

The latest amendment was issued under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, with the objective of strengthening product quality further, ensuring consumer safety, and promoting the use of standardized raw materials within the plastics and petrochemical sectors. It forms part of the Government’s ongoing and phased initiative to enhance quality standards and ensure uniformity and reliability in polymer manufacturing.

Major Amendment

The amendment extends the enforcement date of the Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Order, 2024, from an earlier scheduled date to 24 April 2026.

This extension gives manufacturers and importers additional time to align with the Order’s requirements, including obtaining BIS certification and ensuring full compliance with applicable Indian Standards.

Implications for Industry

• Manufacturers must obtain BIS certification for PP materials intended for moulding and extrusion before April 2026.
• Non-compliant products will not be permitted for sale, import, or distribution in the Indian market once the Order comes into effect.
• It is advisable for stakeholders to begin or expedite testing and certification processes through BIS-recognized laboratories.

BackgroundOn 15 October 2025, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification revising the import policy conditions for certain chemicals and pesticides listed under Chapte...

Background

On 15 October 2025, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification revising the import policy conditions for certain chemicals and pesticides listed under Chapters 29 and 38 of the Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System) [ITC (HS), 2022 – Schedule I]. The changes were made under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and align with the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.

The amendments update the import requirements for several chemical substances, introducing new permit obligations and clarifying existing rules for specific ITC (HS) codes related to organic chemicals and miscellaneous chemical products.

Key Amendments:

Introduction of Import Permit Requirement

• For certain chemicals and pesticides such as Bifenthrin (ISO), Prallethrin, and other specified insecticides and herbicides, import will now be subject to an Import Permit issued by the Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Revised Policy Conditions for Select ITC (HS) Codes

• ITC HS 29162020 (Bifenthrin, Prallethrin):
  • Import now subject to Policy Condition No. 07 of the chapter.
• ITC HS 29314930 (Glyphosate, Fosetyl-al, Glufosinate Ammonium, Glyphosate Potassium Salt):
  • Import requires a CIB&RC import permit as per Policy Condition No. 04.
• ITC HS 38089361 (Goods under Supplementary Note 7):
  • Import subject to an import permit from CIB&RC under Ministry of Agriculture as per Policy Condition No. 04.

Special Conditions for Import of Glufosinate and Its Salts

• Import allowed only with a valid Certificate of Registration from CIB&RC and confirmation of non-prohibition under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
• Restricted: For Cost, Insurance and Frieght (CIF) value below ($14.61) per kg.
• Free: For CIF value ($14.61) per kg or above.
• The policy condition will be reviewed after one year from the date of publication of Notification No. 54/2024.

Clarification for Other Chemical and Pesticide Entries

• Multiple other HS codes under Chapters 29 and 38 have been aligned to ensure consistency with the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the CIB&RC regulatory framework.
• Import of registered and non-prohibited formulations remains free, subject to compliance with the above conditions.
• Effective Date: Immediate upon publication in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary)

Key Takeaways for Importers:

• Verify CIB&RC Registration and Import Permit before import.
• Ensure compliance with updated Import Policy Conditions for relevant HS codes.
• Note pricing restrictions for Glufosinate and its salts.
• Review contracts and documentation for conformity with new regulations.

Effect of the Notification:

The import policy conditions for several specific ITC (HS) codes under Chapters 29 and 38 have been amended with immediate effect to ensure regulatory oversight and alignment with domestic agricultural safety laws.

On 22 October 2025, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, officially rescinded six Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for various fatty acids and their deri...

On 22 October 2025, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, officially rescinded six Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for various fatty acids and their derivatives, which were issued in 2022. The withdrawal, effective immediately, was notified through Gazette notifications numbered S.O. 4780(E) to S.O. 4785(E) under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016.

According to the notifications, the decision was made “in the public interest” following consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Withdrawn Quality Control Orders:

1. Lauric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2022 – S.O. 1961(E)

2. Acid Oil (Quality Control) Order, 2022 – S.O. 1962(E)

3. Palm Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022 – S.O. 1963(E)

4. Rice Bran Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022 – S.O. 1964(E)

5. Coconut Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022 – S.O. 1965(E)

6. Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022 – S.O. 1967(E)

The QCOs, initially issued in April 2022, mandated compliance with specified BIS standards for the manufacture, import, and sale of these substances within India.

On 6 October 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a draft notification proposing amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. The dr...

On 6 October 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a draft notification proposing amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. The draft aims to prohibit the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, thereby strengthening India’s food packaging safety framework further.

First notified in December 2018, the packaging regulations set out clear standards to ensure that packaging materials used for food are safe and suitable, and do not contaminate the food product. The regulations cover aspects such as the type of packaging materials used, migration limits, and labeling requirements, with periodic updates to reflect new scientific evidence and global best practices.

Key Highlights of the Draft Notification

The FSSAI has proposed the following amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018:

Ban on PFAS in Food Contact Materials:

• New sub-regulation (15) under General Requirements states that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shall not be used in the manufacture of food contact materials.
• PFAS are persistent chemicals associated with potential health risks and environmental concerns.

Elimination of BPA in Packaging:

• New sub-regulation (16) mandates that packaging made from polycarbonate and epoxy resins must be free from Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives.
• BPA is widely recognized as an endocrine disruptor, and its restriction aligns India’s standards with international best practices. 

Significance of the Amendment

• Enhanced Consumer Protection: It minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals through food packaging.
• Global Alignment: Brings Indian standards closer to those in developed markets, thereby supporting exports and compliance.
• Sustainability Focus: Encourages the use of safer and more environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Public Consultation Period

Objections or suggestions may be submitted within 60 days of the Gazette notification being made public. Stakeholders, including food businesses, packaging manufacturers, and consumer groups, are encouraged to review the draft notification carefully and submit their inputs within the consultation period.