India Extends Implementation Dates for Acrylonitrile Maleic Anhydride Styrene and Morpholine Quality Control Orders

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.