Mandatory BIS licence for making PVC pipes challenged

One-liner: The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the Centre's reply on a plea seeking direction to quash the Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes and Fittings Rules, 2021, which mandates licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards for manufacturing PVC pipes.

Bench issues notice: A bench issued notice and asked the ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Consumer Affairs, BIS, Central Pollution Control Board and Haryana State Pollution Control Board to respond to the petition.

Further hearing on Feb 28: The court listed the matter for further hearing on Feb 28, saying that before passing any order, it wishes to know the stand of the Centre.

Need to know: The petition by PVC Pipe Manufacturers (Haryana) Association has challenged the legality and validity of the Lead Stabiliser in Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes and Fittings Rules, 2021, for the BIS Standard Mark on the pipes.

• It said the rules have been framed by the ministry through a notification on Mar 30, 2021, pursuant to the May 2017 order of National Green Tribunal

On the other side: Prior to the rules, it was optional for the PVC pipe manufacturers to obtain BIS licence considering the requirement of the market and their consumer base, said the petition.

• It said there are several PVC products that are required for plumbing work but are not covered under any of the BIS standards and such non-standard items do not have any replacement

Bottom line: Therefore, the complete construction sector will come to a standstill if only the products with ISI standard marking are allowed to be produced, it said.

Source: PTI