On June 29, 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued Amendment No. 1 to IS 5610:2025 Refrigerants Specification (Third Revision) for public consultation. The draft proposes to update the technical limits, test methods, quality requirements, and packaging provisions for refrigerants such as R-22, R-32, and R-125, in order to enhance product quality and safety. Comments may be submitted by August 28, 2026.
Background and Development
The amendment was prepared by the Industrial Gases Sectional Committee (CHD 6) under the BIS Chemical Department (CHD). It aims to revise the technical specifications, test methods, quality requirements, and packaging provisions of the prevailing Indian standard for refrigerants, bringing India's refrigerant standards into better alignment with industry practice and international quality and safety requirements. Stakeholders consulted include industry enterprises, manufacturers, testing laboratories, government agencies, academia, and the public.
Revision of Technical Limits
The amendment revises the maximum permissible limits for several key parameters, covering the following indicators for R-22 (Technical/Pure), R-32, and R-125:
- Moisture (ppm, max)
- Non-absorbable gases in the gas phase (percent v/v, max)
- Initial boiling point and 5%–85% evaporation distillation range (°C, max)
- Acidity (as HCl, ppm, max)
- High boiling residue (%, max)
- Appearance, particulate matter/solids, and chloride (visible turbidity)
- Purity (%, min) and other volatile impurities (%, max)
Specific limit values are subject to the formal text of the amendment.
Changes to Packaging Requirements
The amendment sets out more detailed provisions on packaging containers:
- Refrigerants in quantities above 500 ml and up to 5 L shall be filled in valve-fitted cylinders conforming to IS 7142:2025.
- Containers of over 5 L shall conform to IS 3196 (Part 2) and the Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016.
- Refrigerants of 500 ml and below shall be filled only in single-use (non-refillable) metal containers.
- Approved ISO tanks may be used for bulk transport.
- All cylinders and ISO tanks shall bear tamper-evident seals and markings at each filling.
- Decanting from ISO tanks into cylinders is permitted, provided that both the refrigerant and the new packaging conform to the revised standard.
New Burst/Pressure Relief Test
The amendment introduces a burst/pressure relief test requirement for small containers: manufacturers must subject 32 sample containers to hydrostatic testing until rupture or leakage occurs, and use the process capability index (Cpk) to evaluate compliance.
Update of Test Methods
The amendment also revises many laboratory testing procedures, mainly including:
- Allowing the use of any suitable desiccant
- Standardizing the syringe specification at 10 ml
- Allowing the use of any suitable certified reference standard
- Updating the accuracy and temperature range of thermometers used for refrigerant analysis
Feedback
Stakeholders may submit comments by August 28, 2026.
ChemRadar Insights
This revision refines the technical limits and packaging container requirements for refrigerants. It introduces a mandatory burst/pressure relief test for small containers, which will affect enterprises engaged in the production, testing, and supply chain of refrigerants across India's refrigeration, air-conditioning, cold-chain, and HVAC sectors. Relevant enterprises, please follow the revision closely, assess its impact on product quality control, testing procedures, and packaging compliance, and consider submitting comments before the deadline.
