Chemicals
December 2025 Update: How the Withdrawal of Multiple Chemical QCOs Impacts Your Supply Chain
The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals), Government of India, has announced a major regulatory change, providing substantial relief to the chemical and petrochemical industries. Through a series of notifications issued on November 28, 2025, the government has rescinded (withdrawn) the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for several key industrial chemicals with immediate effect. This move marks a crucial step toward streamlining regulatory processes and significantly reducing the compliance burden for manufacturers, importers, and users of these essential raw materials.
The cancellation of their respective QCOs has been executed under the authority of the BIS Act, 2016.
Which Chemical QCOs Have Been Withdrawn?
The Government of India has cancelled the mandatory BIS certification requirement for the following industrial chemicals. This means these products are no longer required to bear the BIS Standard Mark for production, sale, or import.| Chemical/Product Name | Rescinded Indian Standard (IS) No. |
| p-Xylene | IS 17370:2020 |
| Toluene | IS 537:2011 |
| Methyl Acrylate & Ethyl Acrylate | IS 14707:1999 & IS 14708:1999 |
| Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) | IS 12345:1988 |
| Ethylene Dichloride (EDC) | IS 869:2020 |
| Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) | IS 17442:2020 |
The Immediate Impact: Easing the Compliance Burden
This withdrawal is a positive development for various sectors, including petrochemicals, polymers, adhesives, resins, coatings, and PVC manufacturing. The practical implications of this update are immediate:- No Mandatory Certification: Manufacturers and importers of the listed chemicals are no longer required to obtain mandatory BIS certification (ISI Mark or Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) for these specific products.
- Reduced Costs and Time: The industry will see an immediate reduction in compliance costs, testing fees, and the administrative time previously required to secure and maintain BIS licences for these items.
- Enhanced Ease of Doing Business: This decision aligns with the government’s focus on promoting ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by removing regulatory bottlenecks and fostering a more favourable environment for industrial operations and supply chains.
Understanding BIS Compliance and QCOs
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s National Standard Body, responsible for developing standards and certifying products to ensure safety and quality for consumers and the environment. A Quality Control Order (QCO) is a notification issued by a Ministry that makes adherence to a specific Indian Standard (IS) mandatory for certain products. Once a QCO is in effect, the product cannot be manufactured, stored, sold, or imported without mandatory BIS certification. The recent move to rescind these particular QCOs demonstrates a dynamic regulatory environment, where requirements are periodically reviewed to meet the evolving needs of the industry and the economy.Your Next Step in Compliance
While these specific chemicals are now exempt, it is crucial to remember that mandatory BIS compliance remains in force for hundreds of other products across all sectors—from electronics and IT goods to steel, textiles, and many other chemicals. Businesses must ensure they have a robust compliance strategy to accurately track new QCOs, extensions, and withdrawals.Need expert guidance on current BIS QCOs, certification, or other mandatory compliance schemes? Instacertify remains your trusted partner for navigating the complex landscape of regulatory compliance. Contact us today to ensure all your other products meet the necessary quality and safety standards without hassle.Disclaimer: This information is based on the notifications issued on November 28, 2025, and is for general awareness. Manufacturers and importers should always refer to the official government gazette notifications for final compliance requirements.
