Lok Sabha Question No. 908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Regulatory Framework for Chemicals and Fertilizers Sector
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRRED QUESTION NO. 908 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2024

Regulatory Framework for Chemicals and Fertilizers Sector

908:   SHRI  TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government towards strengthening the regulatory framework for the chemicals and fertilizers sector in the country;
- (b) whether there has been an increase in export of chemicals and fertilizers during the last five years; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof, year-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a):    The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals is enforcing mandatory BIS Standards  for  chemicals  and  petrochemicals.  This  measure  ensures  that  both imported  and  domestically  produced  chemicals  meet  stringent  quality  parameters, preventing  the  use  of  hazardous  and  substandard  products.  By  making  these standards compulsory under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, the  initiative  aims  to  protect  human,  animal  and  plant  health,  ensure  environmental safety, prevent unfair trade practices, and enhance national security. D/o Chemicals & Petrochemicals  has  notified  72  Quality  Control  Orders  (QCOs)  for  Chemicals  & Petrochemicals  so  far  to  make  BIS  Standards  mandatory  under  Bureau  of  Indian Standards  Act,  2016.  Out  of  72  QCOs,  41  QCOs  have  been  implemented  and enforcement date of remaining 31 QCOs has been extended from time to time.

Further, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare has notified Insecticides Act,  1968  for  the  regulation  of  import,  manufacture,  sale,  transport,  distribution  and use  of  insecticides  with  a  view  to  prevent  risk  to  human  beings  or  animals  and  for matters connected therewith.

The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  notified  that Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 (MSIHC) and subsequent amendments thereof wherein hazard criteria, viz. toxicity, flammability and explosiveness  has  been  defined  to  identify  hazardous  chemicals  used  in  industrial processes. The Chemical Accident Emergency Planning, preparedness and Response Rules, 1996 (CAEPPR Rules, 1996) have also been notified to complement MSIHC Rules, 1989 and provide statutory backup to crisis management set up in the country with four-tier system at Central, State, District and Local Level.

In respect of fertilizer sector, to ensure the availability of good quality of fertilizer to  farmers,  the  Government  of  India  has  declared  the  fertilizers  as  an  essential commodity and promulgated the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. The FCO regulates the supply,  distribution  and  quality  of  fertilizers.  Under  the  Order,  the  specification  of various  fertilizers  has  been  specified  in  respective  schedules.  FCO  strictly  prohibits the  sale  of  fertilizers  which  are  not  of  prescribed  standard.  Any  violation  of  the provision  of  FCO  invokes  both  penal  action  under  Essential  Commodity  Act  and administrative action under FCO.

(b) & (c): Over the past five years, the overall exports of chemicals and petrochemicals and fertilizers have shown fluctuations. The total export quantity of major chemicals increased  from  16,98,384  Metric  Tons  (MTs)  in  FY2019-20  to  26,42,179  MTs  in FY2023-24 with a peak at 46,26,765 MTs in FY2022-23. On the other hand, the total export quantity of major petrochemicals decreased from 87,98,230 MTs in FY2019-20 to 38,50,778 MTs in FY2023-24, showing fluctuations with a high of 93,34,559 MTs in FY2022-23.

In respect of fertilizers, export reduced from 303604 MTs in 2019-20 to 154682 MTs in 2021-22, which again increased to 186148 MTs in 2022-23 and 298762 MTs in 2023-24.

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