CCPA cracks down on online sale of hazardous chemicals

New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated regulatory action against e-commerce platforms for unauthorised listing, advertisement, and sale of hazardous chemicals and explosive substances, issuing notices to eight entities.

The regulator took the step after receiving inputs about regulated substances being openly listed and sold on major platforms, including IndiaMART, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, Dial4Trade, and ExportersIndia.

The notices demand detailed information from the platforms, including seller identities and licensing compliance, buyer verification mechanisms, quantities sold, import details, and necessary regulatory approvals.

Among the flagged substances are ammonium nitrate, gun powder, picric acid, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), all of which are strictly regulated, restricted, or prohibited under Indian laws, related to public safety and hazardous materials.

"Unauthorised online access to such hazardous substances may expose consumers to serious safety risks and unlawful supply channels," the CCPA said in a statement.

During its preliminary probe, the authority found that several listings lacked required safeguards or verification processes, raising concerns over public safety and national security.

The CCPA has directed online platforms and intermediaries to exercise due diligence and strictly comply with all legal and regulatory requirements before allowing the listing or sale of such sensitive items.

As part of a coordinated effort, the CCPA held a meeting with officials from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to review the existing regulatory framework.

It also shared the list of sellers provided by the e-commerce entities with PESO for further action under relevant laws.

Following the intervention, several platforms have started removing, blocking, or delisting the problematic listings of hazardous chemicals and explosive substances.