In a significant move to strengthen quality control and consumer safety, the Indian government officially introduced a new national standard for incense sticks, commonly known as agarbatti, on Friday. This initiative addresses growing global concerns about the use of synthetic chemicals in fragranced products and aims to bridge a key regulatory gap in the deeply cultural sector.
Addressing a Global Regulatory Gap
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs stated that the decision comes amid increasing international scrutiny, particularly from Europe, regarding indoor air quality and the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to certain synthetic compounds found in incense. The absence of a dedicated domestic standard had become a pressing issue as the use of agarbatti expanded beyond traditional religious settings into wellness, aromatherapy, and meditation practices both in India and overseas.
India is the world's largest producer and exporter of agarbattis, with the industry's annual value estimated at around ₹8,000 crore. It exports about ₹1,200 crore worth of products to over 150 countries. This sector is vital for the economy, supporting a vast ecosystem of artisans, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and micro-entrepreneurs, with significant employment opportunities for women in rural and semi-urban areas.
What the New BIS Standard Entails
Developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the new standard establishes comprehensive specifications covering raw materials, burning quality, fragrance performance, and chemical parameters. It also classifies agarbatti into three categories: machine-made, hand-made, and traditional masala.
A core component of the standard is the prohibition of specific harmful substances. The new norms bar the use of certain insect-control chemicals and synthetic fragrance ingredients that are known to pose health risks when burned and inhaled indoors over long periods. These prohibited substances, some of which are used in pesticides and industrial fragrances, have been internationally linked to respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, headaches, and environmental damage.
"By prohibiting these substances, the government is seeking to ensure that incense sticks do not release potentially toxic fumes inside homes, temples or meditation spaces," explained Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Consumer VOICE, a non-profit consumer awareness organization. He added that for consumers, this translates to safer products, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Products conforming to the standard will carry the BIS mark for easy identification.
Boosting Export Competitiveness and Industry Adaptation
The new standard is strategically framed to align Indian manufacturing with tightening global safety norms, thereby safeguarding domestic consumers while enhancing export readiness. With key markets like the US, Malaysia, Nigeria, Brazil, and Mexico imposing stricter chemical regulations, compliance with a nationally recognized benchmark is expected to reduce export risks and improve market access.
"For manufacturers, this means reworking formulations, moving away from some cheaper synthetic chemicals and paying closer attention to raw materials," said Vinod Kumar, President of the India SME Forum. While acknowledging that compliance and testing costs may rise for some players, he emphasized that the standard will make Indian agarbatti more acceptable in overseas markets, lowering the risk of rejections and regulatory hurdles.
The standard was prepared by the BIS's Fragrance and Flavour Sectional Committee after extensive consultations with scientific institutions like CSIR laboratories, the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre in Kannauj, and industry bodies such as the All India Agarbatti Manufacturers Association. This collaborative approach aimed to balance scientific evidence with practical industry realities, ensuring the new norms are both effective and implementable for a sector that is a cornerstone of India's cultural and economic landscape.
