Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride, and Styrene Quality Control Orders 2025 - Detailed Information

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has shared an important announcement regarding the regulation of certain industrial chemicals. The Government has officially withdrawn three Quality Control Orders (QCOs): acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, and styrene (vinyl benzene). This announcement was made on 24th October 2025, withdrawing the earlier made QCOs, which were made in April 2022.

Manufacturers and importers are required to obtain BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification to ensure product quality, safety, and compliance with Indian Standards, as mandated by law. The removal of these QCOs has eliminated the mandatory BIS certification required for the chemicals immediately and has reduced regulatory burdens and obligations of industry players.

History of BIS QCO for Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride, and Styrene

In April 2022, three distinct Quality Control Orders (QCOs) were announced by the Government of India, with the intent to bring Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride, and Styrene products under obligatory BIS certification. These Quality Control Orders were intended to guarantee quality assurance, safety, and standards in the manufacture, importation, and usage of these industrially-utilized, significant chemicals. Under these QCOs, manufacturers and importers of these chemicals were required to obtain a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) license prior to offering these products for sale or distribution in the rural or Indian marketplace.

What Does “Rescinding a Quality Control Order” Mean?

• When a BIS document order is rescinded, it signals that the BIS Certification for that specific item or chemical is no longer a compulsory requirement. 
• Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride, and Styrene producers will not need to obtain BIS licenses to manufacture and/or sell these materials in India. 
• There will not be a requirement for importers to have a BIS certification to import these chemicals. 
• If someone previously held a BIS license for these products, an existing license could continue. In other words, certification for these products is now voluntary, as opposed to being compulsory.

Why Has the Government Withdrawn These Orders?

While the official notifications do not provide detailed reasons, such decisions are generally made to:

• Facilitate compliance with regulatory processes, particularly for industries.
• Alleviate supply chain issues that may have developed due to certification stipulations.
• Promote economic development by removing undesired regulatory obstacles.
• Re-evaluate the need for mandatory standards in products with little perceived quality risk that do not have compulsory enforcement.
• The Ministry’s decision indicates a balanced approach, ensuring safety and quality through voluntary standards while supporting ease of doing business in India.

Impact on the Chemical Industry

The removal of these QCOs is expected to provide short-term relief to producers, traders, and importers of chemicals, which include Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride, and Styrene, which are principal raw materials used in making plastics, synthetic rubbers, resins, coatings, adhesives, and packaging materials. 
By eliminating the requirement for government-approved BIS certification, the government is trying to ease trade, ensure a stable supply of the product, and limit any potential disruption in the market due to certification delays.

Summary of Withdrawn Orders

Below in the table, you can through the summary of BIS Quality Control Orders: 

Summary

The Government of India highlights its commitment to promoting ease of doing business, while maintaining flexibility for industries to adopt voluntary BIS compliance to ensure product quality and global competitiveness. The step highlights the government’s commitment to promoting ease of doing business, while maintaining flexibility for industries to adopt voluntary BIS compliance to ensure product quality and global competitiveness.