Linear Alkyl Benzene QCO Temporarily Suspended: What Manufacturers and Importers Need to Know

The Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Order, 2022 mandates that LAB manufactured or imported for sale in India must conform to the relevant Indian Standard and carry the BIS Standard Mark. The QCO has been in force since April 2022 and was last amended in March 2026.

The 25 June 2026 notification amends paragraph 2 of the 2022 order by inserting a proviso that suspends its operation for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026. During this window, the mandatory BIS certification requirement does not apply. Manufacturers and importers of LAB may supply the product without the Standard Mark for these three months.

The stated reason is global supply chain disruption. The government, in consultation with BIS, concluded that temporarily relaxing the QCO is necessary to ensure continued availability of LAB in the domestic market.

Linear Alkyl Benzene is a key petrochemical intermediate used primarily to manufacture Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate (LABS) — the active surfactant ingredient in household detergents, industrial cleaning products, and personal care formulations. LAB is produced by alkylation of benzene with linear olefins and is a globally traded commodity with a limited number of large-scale producers.

India’s detergent industry depends on both domestic LAB production and imports to meet demand. When supply tightens globally — due to feedstock constraints, plant shutdowns, or geopolitical disruption — the downstream effect on detergent manufacturing can be significant. The government’s decision to temporarily lift BIS certification requirements for LAB signals that supply concerns are real and immediate.

For manufacturers and importers, the three-month window allows procurement of LAB from sources that may not yet hold BIS registration, relieving short-term supply pressure. But it also means that businesses should not interpret this as a signal that the QCO is being rolled back — reinstatement on 1 October 2026 is certain.

The three-month suspension is a relief measure, not a compliance exit. Manufacturers and importers of Linear Alkyl Benzene who have not yet obtained BIS certification should use this period to initiate and advance the certification process — so they are ready when enforcement resumes.