NEW DELHI: Citing grave concerns over consumer safety and national security, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated stringent regulatory action against the unauthorized online sale and advertisement of hazardous chemicals and explosive substances on major digital platforms.
The enforcement action, executed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, follows critical inputs regarding the listing and direct sale of regulated substances on prominent business-to-business (B2B) and listing platforms, including IndiaMART, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, Dial4Trade, and ExportersIndia. The highly dangerous substances found under scrutiny include Ammonium Nitrate, Gun Powder, Picric Acid, and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN)—all of which are strictly monitored under various domestic laws governing hazardous and explosive materials.
Strict Demands for Compliance and Verification According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the CCPA has issued formal notices to the implicated digital marketplaces. The authority is demanding comprehensive details regarding:
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Complete seller registration information and background checks.
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Mandatory statutory licensing compliance.
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Buyer identity and verification mechanisms.
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Historical data on quantities sold, import details, and necessary regulatory approvals.
During its preliminary examination, the CCPA observed a glaring lack of adequate safeguards, noting that several restricted, controlled, or prohibited hazardous substances were being openly listed online. The authority explicitly stressed that digital intermediaries must exercise rigorous due diligence and guarantee full compliance with all legal norms before allowing any such products to be advertised or sold on their portals.
Coordination with PESO Triggers Mass Takedowns As part of the wider enforcement process, the CCPA has held collaborative discussions with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to review and tighten the regulatory framework governing these dangerous materials. All seller details extracted from the e-commerce entities have been forwarded to PESO for immediate legal action under applicable explosives and hazardous substances acts.
Following the government’s aggressive intervention, several of the named online platforms have swiftly commenced removing, restricting, or completely delisting product listings linked to the hazardous chemicals and explosive materials. The government reiterated that this crackdown reinforces its commitment to ensuring safe digital marketplaces and preventing unauthorized access to lethal substances.
