In a significant, much-awaited regulatory intervention aimed at safeguarding public health and national security, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated action against the online sale and listing of hazardous chemicals and explosive substances on major e-commerce platforms.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the easy digital availability of chemicals capable of causing severe injuries, toxic exposure, explosions, fires, and long-term environmental damage.
The platforms that received notices include IndiaMART, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, Dial4Trade, and ExportersIndia, according to a government statement issued on Wednesday.
Among the substances under scrutiny are Ammonium Nitrate, Gunpowder, Picric Acid, and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) — materials that are either explosive, highly combustible, toxic, or heavily regulated under Indian law.
The action has been initiated under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, following reports that several regulated and potentially dangerous substances were being openly listed and sold online without adequate safeguards, buyer verification, or licensing checks.
A senior official from the CCPA said that these substances are not ordinary industrial chemicals. Many can cause catastrophic injuries even with limited exposure or improper handling. Several are also linked to respiratory damage, chemical burns, poisoning, and fatal blast injuries.
For instance, ammonium nitrate, widely used in fertilisers and mining operations, becomes highly dangerous when improperly stored or mixed with combustible material. Globally, accidental explosions involving ammonium nitrate have caused mass casualties, severe burns, lung injuries, and long-term trauma among survivors.
Similarly, gunpowder, another substance identified in the listings, poses an immediate fire and explosion risk. Even small quantities stored carelessly can trigger accidental burns, eye injuries, hearing loss, and devastating household fires.
Picric acid, a toxic chemical historically used in explosives and laboratories, presents dual dangers. Besides its explosive potential when dried or improperly stored, exposure can damage the skin, eyes, liver, and kidneys. Prolonged exposure may also cause breathing difficulties and systemic toxicity.
Particularly alarming for authorities is the listing of PETN, one of the most powerful explosive compounds used in military and industrial detonators. Health experts say unauthorised access to such substances raises serious concerns not only about accidental injuries but also about misuse in unlawful activities.
The official said that detailed information has been sought from platforms regarding seller credentials, licensing compliance, buyer verification systems, import approvals, and quantities sold.
During the preliminary examination, authorities reportedly observed that several listed chemicals fall under restricted or controlled categories governed by laws related to explosives, hazardous chemicals, and public safety.
The official stressed that digital marketplaces cannot function merely as passive intermediaries when dealing with substances capable of causing mass harm. Under existing regulations, platforms are expected to exercise due diligence and ensure compliance before permitting the sale or advertisement of regulated materials, he added.
Children, adolescents, and untrained individuals may unknowingly access dangerous chemicals through online listings that lack proper warnings, safety protocols, or usage restrictions. In many cases, storage instructions and toxicity information are either inadequate or absent altogether, the official pointed out.
Doctors, too, said that accidental household exposure to hazardous chemicals can lead to poisoning, respiratory distress, skin burns, and permanent eye damage. Inhalation of chemical fumes may trigger asthma attacks, lung inflammation, and neurological complications, particularly among children and elderly individuals.
As part of its enforcement measures, the CCPA also held consultations with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the country’s regulatory body overseeing explosives and hazardous substances. Seller details obtained from online platforms have been shared with PESO for further scrutiny and possible legal action under applicable laws, the official said.
Following the intervention, sources said, several platforms have reportedly started removing, restricting, or delisting products linked to explosive or hazardous materials.
