On December 15, 2025, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers of India officially announced the revocation of six Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for certain key industrial chemicals. This revocation was published in the Gazette of India on November 28, 2025, and took effect immediately. The decision was made under the authority granted by Sections 16 and 25(3) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, following appropriate consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Revoked Quality Control Orders:
|
Gazette Notice No. |
Chemical Name |
Original Notice No. |
Original Notification Date |
|
S.O. 5527(E) |
p-Xylene |
S.O. 3929(E) |
September 13, 2021 |
|
S.O. 5528(E) |
Toluene |
S.O. 5436(E) |
December 24, 2021 |
|
S.O. 5529(E) |
Methyl Acrylate and Ethyl Acrylate |
S.O. 5406(E) |
December 22, 2021 |
|
S.O. 5530(E) |
Vinyl Acetate Monomer |
S.O. 5405(E) |
December 22, 2021 |
|
S.O. 5531(E) |
Ethylene Dichloride |
S.O. 3928(E) |
September 13, 2021 |
|
S.O. 5532(E) |
Vinyl Chloride Monomer |
S.O. 3932(E) |
September 13, 2021 |
Consequently, the aforementioned substances and products are no longer subject to the mandatory BIS certification requirements stipulated by the revoked QCOs. Relevant manufacturers, importers, and traders can now conduct business without needing to comply with the obligations under the original orders. Any compliance actions taken based on the previous orders remain valid for past activities.
This revocation reflects the Indian government's ongoing reassessment of mandatory BIS certification requirements for industrial chemicals, aiming to balance public safety with the promotion of trade facilitation, reduction of regulatory burden, and further enhancement of the overall ease of doing business in India's chemical and petrochemical sectors.
Furthermore, for other chemicals whose Quality Control Orders have been formally implemented, manufacturers are still required to apply for a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and use the standard mark on their products. It is important to note that these orders do not apply to chemicals intended solely for export. All relevant manufacturers must adhere to these new regulations, and any non-compliance will be subject to corresponding legal penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
