As of March 7, 2024 - March 18, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers announced that it will defer the implementation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for the following ten chemicals. It will provide relevant enterprises with additional time to comply with the new orders.
The ten chemicals and their new implementation dates are listed below:
| Goods or Articles | Title of Indian Standard | Implementation Date |
| Lauric acid | IS 10931: 2023 Lauric Acid — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Acid oil | IS 12029: 2023 Acid Oil — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Palm fatty acids | IS 12067: 2023 Palm Fatty Acids — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Rice bran fatty acids | IS 12068: 1987 Specification for Rice Bran Fatty Acids | October 24,2024 |
| Coconut fatty acids | IS 12069: 2023 Coconut Fatty Acids — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Hydrogenated rice bran fatty acids | IS 12361: 2023 Partially Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers | IS 13601: 1993 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymers for Its Safe Use in Contact with Foodstuffs, Pharmaceuticals and Drinking Water | October 3,2024 |
| Acetonitrile | IS 12540: 2023 Acrylonitrile — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Styrene (Vinyl Benzene) | IS 4105: 2023 Styrene (Vinyl Benzene) — Specification | October 24,2024 |
| Maleic Anhydride | IS 4105: 2023 Styrene (Vinyl Benzene) — Specification | October 24,2024 |
Once these QCOs are implemented, manufacturers of the above ten 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.
Further Information
Notification under BIS Standard
