Government Amends Quality Control Order for Polyethylene Materials

New Delhi, January 4, 2024 In a recent development, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, has issued a new order amending the Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Order, 2022. This move comes under the powers conferred by section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), and has been made in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards. The amendment, titled the "Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2024," is set to come into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette. Key Amendments: Exemptions: The amended order introduces a proviso in paragraph 1, subparagraph (3), stating that certain classes of polyethylene materials for moulding and extrusion are exempted from the provisions of the Quality Control Order. The exempted classes include: Low Density Polyethylene Extrusion (LDPE) Coating Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Film Grades (Blown/ Cast) or Pharma Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Butene Grades Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Hexene/ Octene Grades Metallocene Polyethylene Grades Base Resins of Power Cable, Jacketing, and other applications Compounds for Cable Jacketing/ Sheathing/ Polyethylene-80 and Polyethylene-100 (Black and Pigmented)/ Reinforcement Fillers This amendment is aimed at ensuring flexibility in compliance and addressing specific needs within the industry. Background: The Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Order, 2022, was initially published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, section 3, sub-section (ii) vide number S.O. 1647(E), dated April 5, 2022. Subsequent amendments were made through notifications numbered S.O. 4601(E), dated September 29, 2022, S.O. 1557(E), dated March 31, 2023, and S.O. 4235(E), dated September 26, 2023.