Recently, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, published a notification in the Official Gazette, deferring the implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for the following eight chemicals. It will provide relevant enterprises with additional time to comply with the new orders.
The eight chemicals and their new implementation dates are listed below:
| Goods/ Articles | Previous Implementation Date | New Implementation Date | Main Application Areas |
| Ethylene dichloride | February 26, 2024 | September 12, 2024 | Used in making vinyl chloride monomer, solvents, metal cleaning and adhesive |
| Polycarbonate | February 26, 2024 | September 12, 2024 | used in making CDs, mobile phones, medical equipment, eyewear and baby feeding bottles |
| vinyl chloride monomer | February 26, 2024 | September 12, 2024 | Used in making polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products |
| p-Xylene | February 26, 2024 | September 19, 2024 | Used as intermediate in polyester production, industrial chemicals, petrochemicals |
| Polyureathanes | February 26, 2024 | September 19, 2024 | Used in making flexible foam, beddings and carpets and automotive components |
| Beta picoline | March 6, 2024 | March 13, 2025 | Used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals |
| Sodium tripolyphosphate | March 6, 2024 | March 13, 2025 | Used in the manufacture of cleaning products and food preservatives, as well as in water treatment facilities, and in the ceramic, paint and varnish industries |
| Pyridine | March 6, 2024 | March 13, 2025 | Used as a basic solvent for paints, dyes, adhesives, insecticides and food flavourings |
Once these QCOs are implemented, manufacturers of these eight chemicals must apply for licenses from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The products must bear the standard mark under the license. The Orders do not apply to chemicals intended for export only. The DCPC emphasized that all relevant manufacturers must comply with these new orders. Those who fails to comply with the orders shall be penalized in accordance with the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act (BIS Act), 2016. DCPC also stated that, before the new implementation date, the production, storage, trade, and sale of these chemicals can continue.
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