The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued the Insecticides (First Amendment) Rules, 2024. These rules have come into force on January 12, 2024. The amendment rules revise the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
This amendment has extended the deadline for compliance with the new packaging and labeling requirements that were notified in the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023. The deadline for compliance of these new norms has been fixed as December 23, 2023.
It may be recalled that as per the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 a registration certificate holder could use a label or leaflet, which was not in accordance with the provisions of the Second Amendment Rules only until six months from the date of commencement of the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023. This period for compliance has now been extended to 9 months from the commencement of the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023. It is pertinent to note that the Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 came into force on March 23, 2023.
The Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023, amongst other requirements, mandates for a QR Code to be placed on retail pack of insecticides (Primary or Secondary pack as the case may be) at a suitable place. It also states that for ultra-small packs, multiple primary packs may be packed in one secondary pack and the manufacturer shall ensure leaflet and QR code be securely attached with each primary pack before packing them in one secondary pack.
The extension in deadline for compliance provides insecticide businesses with a longer window for the sale and use of old labels for insecticides. The extension, thus, acknowledges the complexities involved in research, development, and regulatory compliance for insecticides, providing stakeholders with a more reasonable timeframe to navigate these processes.
