IS 19412:2025: National Quality Standard for Agarbattis

Why in News?

On National Consumer Day 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formally notified IS 19412:2025. This marks the first time India has introduced a dedicated national standard for agarbattis (incense sticks). The notification brings a traditionally unregulated household product under a structured safety and quality framework.

What is IS 19412:2025?

About:
IS 19412:2025 is a newly notified Indian Standard exclusively applicable to agarbattis. It establishes scientifically defined norms. These norms ensure that incense sticks sold in the market are safe for regular indoor use. They are also environmentally responsible and consistent in quality.

Key Regulatory Pillars:

Input Materials: Controls on permissible raw materials
Combustion Behaviour: Uniform burning rate, ash quality, and stability
Fragrance Performance: Safety and consistency of aromatic compounds
Chemical Controls: Clear restrictions on toxic and hazardous substances

This is the first time agarbattis—deeply embedded in cultural and religious practices—have been subjected to formal product standardisation.

Prohibition of Hazardous Substances

A central feature of IS 19412:2025 is its strict exclusion of chemicals that pose health or environmental risks. This is especially important when these chemicals are released through smoke.

Banned Insecticidal Compounds

The standard disallows the use of insecticides such as:

Alethrin
Permethrin
Cypermethrin
Deltamethrin
Fipronil

These chemicals are associated with neurological and respiratory hazards and are unsuitable for products meant for indoor combustion.

Restricted Synthetic Fragrance Chemicals

Certain synthetic fragrance intermediates have also been barred, including:

Benzyl cyanide
Ethyl acrylate
Diphenylamine

These substances may cause toxicity, allergic reactions, or degradation of indoor air quality when burned in enclosed spaces.

Announcement and Consumer Policy Context

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi announced the standard. This occurred on National Consumer Day 2025.
The decision aligns with India’s broader consumer policy objective. It ensures that everyday household products meet defined safety and quality benchmarks. This focus is not limited to industrial goods.

Why This Standard is Important

Agarbattis are burned daily in homes, temples, offices, and public spaces. However, the sector has long operated without uniform national safety norms.

IS 19412:2025 aims to:

Safeguard respiratory and general public health
Improve indoor air quality
Encourage eco-friendly and responsible production practices
Reduce exposure to toxic emissions
Enhance credibility of Indian agarbattis in global markets

The standard reflects a shift from cultural familiarity to scientific accountability.

Conclusion

The introduction of IS 19412:2025 represents a decisive step in India’s evolving consumer protection ecosystem. By regulating a product used across socio-economic groups, the BIS has addressed a silent but significant public health concern. The standard not only protects consumers but also nudges the agarbatti industry toward safer, cleaner, and more transparent manufacturing practices.

Focus Areas: GS Paper – 3 | Consumer Protection | Product Standards | Public Health | Environmental Safety

For Prelims: BIS, IS 19412:2025, National Consumer Day, Agarbatti Industry, Indoor Air Quality
For Mains: Regulation of household products, consumer safety in the informal sector, health and environmental implications of product standardisation

Exam-Oriented Facts

India has issued its first safety and quality benchmark for agarbattis through IS 19412:2025.
The standard regulates inputs, combustion behaviour, fragrance composition, and chemical safety.
Several toxic insecticides and hazardous fragrance chemicals are explicitly prohibited.
The move strengthens consumer health protection. It also enhances indoor air safety and ethical manufacturing. This is especially important in a sector where India leads global production and exports.