Draft Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) Notified
Several activities will be prohibited or regulated within the ESA, including mining, expansion of existing polluting industries, and large-scale construction projects. Existing mining operations will be phased out within five years. However, existing healthcare facilities and repair/extension of residential houses are exempted.
New Insights into DPCO, 2013 and NPPA Oversight
The DPCO, 2013, is a cornerstone in India’s pharmaceutical regulation, balancing the interests of manufacturers and consumers by ensuring fair drug pricing. Through annual revisions, strict GMP compliance, and vigilant monitoring, the NPPA ensures that medications remain affordable and accessible, reflecting the government’s commitment to public health.
India Tightens Regulations for Chemicals and Petrochemicals
The Indian government has intensified its efforts to ensure the quality and safety of chemicals and petrochemicals through a series of regulatory measures.. The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has introduced mandatory BIS standards for both imported and domestically produced chemicals.
Low Melt Polyester Yarn Exempted From Polyester Yarn Quality Control Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has issued an amendment to the Polyester Continuous Filament Fully Drawn Yarn (Quality Control) Order, 2023. This amendment exempts “Low Melt Polyester Yarn” from the purview of the order.
SOP For ZLD Verification Of Distilleries
The Government of India has implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline the verification process for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems in distilleries. This initiative aims to expedite the disbursement of financial assistance under a scheme promoting ethanol production.
Government Declares New Services As Public Utility Services
The central government has issued a series of orders extending the designation of certain critical industries as “public utility services” under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. These industries are considered essential for national security and economic well-being.
Ammonium Nitrate Bags to Get Barcodes for Enhanced Tracking
The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has announced an order aimed at strengthening security measures for Ammonium Nitrate. It has mandated that each bag containing Ammonium Nitrate must be marked with the identification number of the package or bar coding.
Public Input Sought on Draft Guidelines for Petrol Depots
The CPCB has prepared a draft SOP for Petrol Depots and is now seeking feedback from the public and relevant stakeholders. The CPCB encourages all interested parties to submit their comments by June 6, 2024.
Amendments Made To Specifications In Respect Of Biostimulants
he amendment states that biostimulant specifications shall include tracer molecules in addition to active ingredients. The order also introduces ‘live micro-organisms excluding biofertilizers and biopesticides’ as an additional category of biostimulants specified under Schedule VI. Additionally, the amendment order also increases the permissible limit of pesticide in biostimulants from 0.01ppm to 1ppm.
Government Updates Fertilizer Control Order To Add New Categories and Nano Fertilizers
The introduction of new fertilizer categories provides farmers with more options to address specific soil nutrient deficiencies. Inclusion of micronutrients like Zinc and Copper in nano form could potentially improve nutrient uptake by plants.