Business
Consumer Protection Authority Targets Illegal Sale of Explosive Materials
The Central Consumer Protection Authority has initiated strict regulatory action against the unauthorized online sale and promotion of hazardous chemicals and explosive materials, directing major e-commerce platforms to remove listings that pose risks to consumer safety and public security.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority has launched regulatory action against the unauthorized online sale and advertisement of hazardous chemicals, explosive substances, and related precursor materials on digital platforms.
The action has been initiated under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 with the objective of strengthening consumer safety, public security, and responsible e-commerce practices across the country.
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, notices have been issued to major e-commerce platforms regarding the listing and sale of regulated substances such as Ammonium Nitrate, Gun Powder, Picric Acid, and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN).
As part of the enforcement process, the CCPA held discussions with officials from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation to review the current regulatory framework governing explosive and hazardous substances.
Government officials stated that several online platforms and sellers have already started removing, blocking, restricting, or delisting product listings connected to hazardous chemicals following the intervention by regulatory authorities.
The Ministry said the crackdown highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring that digital marketplaces do not enable unauthorized public access to regulated or dangerous materials in violation of safety norms and legal requirements.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring online marketplaces to prevent the illegal circulation of explosive substances and strengthen compliance standards for e-commerce operators handling sensitive products.
