Many of these compounds are already restricted or prohibited internationally due to their possible effects on health and the environment.
India Bans Harmful Chemicals in Incense Sticks: New BIS Standard Aims to Protect Health
The Indian government has issued a notification with a new Indian Standard for incense sticks (agarbatti), which sets quality norms and a list of substances prohibited in their manufacture. This measure was released on National Consumer Day 2025. According to sources from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, it aims to ensure safer products and address the potential impact on human health and indoor air quality.
Under the updated standard developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), specific insecticidal chemicals, including alethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and fipronil, are now banned from use in agarbatti production, along with other synthetic fragrance intermediates such as benzyl cyanide, ethyl acrylate and diphenylamine. Many of these compounds are already restricted or prohibited internationally due to their possible effects on health and the environment.
According to the ministry, the standard also classifies incense sticks into categories such as machine-made, handmade and traditional masala varieties, prescribing norms for raw materials, burning quality, fragrance performance and chemical parameters. This classification focuses on ensuring consistent quality for consumers and promoting responsible manufacturing practices.
Incense sticks are widely used in Indian homes, places of worship and meditation centres, with the sector estimated to be worth around INR 8,000 crore annually and export revenues of nearly INR 1,200 crore to more than 150 countries. India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of agarbattis, supporting a vast network of artisans, micro-entrepreneurs and MSMEs, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
The government said that the new BIS standard is expected to boost consumer confidence, promote ethical and sustainable manufacturing, and enhance access to global markets, while aligning traditional industry practices with modern quality and safety expectations. Products meeting this standard can carry the BIS Standard Mark, helping consumers make more informed choices.
Source: Times of India
