Quality Control Orders for Mandatory BIS Certification of various Chemicals & Fertilizers

Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India has announced the proposals for mandatory BIS certification for various chemicals and fertilizers which include around 72 chemical and petrochemical. These would allow domestic and international businesses to acquire licenses until they can produce, develop, or utilize the substances impacted. The requirements include numerous specific chemicals and other common polymers, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyurethane. Products marked for certification shall meet with the respective Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements. This may mean shipping delays or even partial closing of the South Asian market for exporters to India, which had in 2018 affected caustic soda sellers. The credential introduces another tier to corporate procedures that need to be surmounted for market entry.

Initially, the introduction of BIS regulations on caustic soda led its rates to plunge, with firms exporting to India being pressured to pursue new markets at short notice. Nevertheless, the current list will include products which are imported in enormous quantities and will impact the domestic sector.

“This compulsory certification was introduced as a non-tariff barrier against inferior imports and caustic soda was the first chemical to be covered by this certification in April 2018,” said K Srinivasan, secretary-general of the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI).

BIS standards for phthalic anhydride and ortho-phosphoric acid are currently being formulated, said a source from the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Standards are being reviewed for possible changes for certain chemicals and polymers that already fall under the BIS ambit. These include, but are not limited to, phenol, acetone, toluene, styrene, ethylene dichloride (EDC), ethylene glycol, butyl acrylate, maleic anhydride (MA), acrylonitrile (ACN), linear alkylbenzene (LAB), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), monoethylene glycol. The list also contains polymers, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride, and plastics of various types.