Update: India revoked BIS exemption for LLDPE C4 grade

In a notable policy reversal, the Indian Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has removed Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) C4 from the exemption list under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)e Quality Control Order (QCO). According to an Amendment Order issued on 11 June 2025, all LLDPE C4 cargoes marketed in India are now subject to mandatory BIS certification with immediate effect.

This marks a departure from the earlier directive, which excluded LLDPE C4 from the QCO requirements when the mandate came into force on 5 January 2024.

As previously reported by CommoPlast, the quality control regulation for polyethylene (PE) was implemented at the start of 2024, though several grades were temporarily exempted. Under the revised order, the following PE products remain outside the scope of the BIS mandate:

• Low Density Polyethylene Extrusion (LDPE) Coating;
• Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Film Grades (Blown/ Cast) or Pharma;
• Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Hexene/ Octene Grades;
• Metallocene Polyethylene Grades;
• Base Resins of Power Cable, Jacketing and other applications; and compounds for Cable Jacketing/ Sheathing/ Polyethylene-80 and Polyethylene-100 (Black and Pigmented)/ Reinforcement Fillers;
• High density polyethylene for pharmaceutical moulding EP /USP grade CAS No. 25087-34-7 for manufacturing of Disposable Hypodermic Syringes plunger and IV Catheter/cannula.

Industry participants suggest that the immediate impact on Middle Eastern cargoes may be limited, as most suppliers in the region have already secured BIS certification. “However, other origins, especially from the USA, may see stronger repercussions,” commented a market buyer. The source noted that several key US-based suppliers have yet to obtain the required certification, which could potentially lead to cargo redirection in the near term.

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