Extension Order for Lauric Acid, Acid Oil, Palm Fatty Acids, Rice Bran Fatty Acids, Coconut Fatty Acids & Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids

Introduction to the Quality Control Orders for Specified Acids

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), regulates several chemical products through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that have been issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. These QCOs are mainly aimed at ensuring consistent quality, safety, as well as absolute standardization of chemicals that are basically used across food, oleochemical, cosmetic, soap, detergent, and certain industrial sectors.

Lauric Acid, Acid Oil, and various fatty acids that are derived from palm, rice bran, and coconut are widely used as raw materials in multiple downstream industries. In order to allow additional time for industry preparedness as well as regulatory compliance, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has recently issued amendment orders for the purpose of extending the enforcement timelines of the respective Quality Control Orders issued earlier for the specified chemicals.

Key Changes You Need to Know

For this notification, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has issued multiple Quality Control Amendment Orders, 2024, through the Gazette Notification dated 07 March 2024, ultimately extending the implementation timelines of the following QCOs:

1. Lauric Acid (Quality Control) Order
2. Acid Oil (Quality Control) Order
3. Palm Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order
4. Rice Bran Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order
5. Coconut Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order
6. Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order

Key points of the extension include:

1. There is now a uniform extension of the enforcement date for all the above chemical products.
2. Mandatory compliance with applicable Indian Standards remains unchanged through this new amendment.
3. Products must obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, to be compliant for legal sales and production in the Indian market.
4. BIS continues to be the certifying and enforcing authority for this new QCO Amendment.
5. Penalties for non-compliance will apply under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Impact of this Extension on Businesses

• Businesses definitely get additional time to prepare for BIS compliance without immediate enforcement pressure.
• The extension helps companies avoid sudden production stoppages or import delays that could have occurred due to incomplete BIS certification.
• Manufacturers can now plan product testing, documentation, as well as factory inspections in a structured manner, reducing last-minute costs, delays, and errors.
• Importers benefit from continued market access until 24 October 2024, ensuring smoother supply chain operations.
• Businesses that act early can secure BIS licenses ahead of competitors, gaining a compliance and credibility advantage, while also ensuring consumer confidence in the market.
• The extension reduces the risk of penalties, seizures, or market restrictions.

What is the Date of Implementation?

The revised enforcement date for all the above-mentioned chemical products is 24 October 2024.

Now, What to Do?

Manufacturers and importers of the notified products should use this extended timeline to complete BIS certification, including product testing, documentation, as well as license application. Existing compliance plans should be carefully reviewed in order to align with the revised enforcement date.

Brand Liaison assists chemical manufacturers as well as importers with the BIS application process, technical assistance, simplified documentation, testing coordination, certification filing, as well as complete end-to-end compliance support in order to ensure timely adherence to the extended QCO dates of implementation.