BIS Compliance News · 24 October 2025
Three 2022 petrochemical QCOs withdrawn: acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride and styrene
The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals issued three orders on 24 October 2025 under section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. They rescind the Acrylonitrile (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (S.O. 1646(E)), the Maleic Anhydride (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (S.O. 1644(E)) and the Styrene (Vinyl Benzene) (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (S.O. 1645(E)). The rescinding orders are S.O. 4862(E), 4863(E) and 4864(E), and they took effect immediately.
All three were among the petrochemical QCOs notified on 5 April 2022. Acrylonitrile and styrene are feedstocks for ABS, SAN and acrylic fibre, and maleic anhydride goes into unsaturated polyester resins, so resin and fibre makers that import these chemicals no longer need BIS-licensed sources.
The department rescinded six fatty acid QCOs two days earlier and went on to withdraw more chemical and polymer orders in November 2025.
Who is affected
Importers and domestic producers of acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride and styrene, and the resin, plastics and fibre makers that use them.
What to do
- Update import documents: a BIS licence is no longer a legal condition for these three chemicals.
- Licence holders can choose whether to keep their licence for customers or tenders.
Related guides
BIS Compliance News summarises official notifications in plain language. It is general information, not legal or regulatory advice — always confirm the current text of the order or notice, linked above, before acting.