India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Tuesday released a new policy condition for imports of certain plastics and chemicals, including organic chemicals. It is now obligatory for importers of such materials to submit a copy of the bill of entry within 30 days to the Ozone Cell in the ministry of environment, forests, and climate change.
The new norms affect materials that contain an ozone-damaging substance dichlorofluoroethane (HCFC-141b-) except for feedstock applications. China is India’s largest supplier of the chemical which is used in cleaning agents, refrigerants, fire extinguishers, and foam manufacturing. As of now, India does not produce the chemical domestically and meets all requirements through imports.
DGFT also bans imports of pre-blended polyols and polyesters that are used in the foam manufacturing.
