In a major step towards enhancing consumer safety and product quality, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified India’s first-ever standard for agarbattis, titled IS 19412:2025. The standard was announced on National Consumer Day 2025, marking a significant milestone for a product used daily in millions of Indian households.
IS 19412:2025 establishes a comprehensive framework covering raw material quality, burning performance, fragrance stability, and chemical safety. For the first time, agarbattis have been brought under a formal national safety regime, ensuring consistency, health protection, and environmentally responsible manufacturing.
A key feature of the new standard is the ban on several harmful chemicals. It prohibits insecticidal compounds such as alethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and fipronil, which are linked to respiratory and neurological risks. The standard also restricts toxic synthetic fragrance substances like benzyl cyanide, ethyl acrylate, and diphenylamine, reducing health hazards caused by indoor combustion.
The announcement was made by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, aligning with the government’s broader push for consumer empowerment and safer household products. Given that India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of agarbattis, the move is expected to boost consumer trust, improve indoor air quality, and promote ethical and eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
Overall, IS 19412:2025 represents a landmark reform that balances cultural traditions with modern safety and environmental standards.
