CCPA Cracks Down On Online Sale Of Hazardous Chemicals Across E-Commerce Platforms
CCPA has initiated action against online platforms over the unauthorised sale and advertisement of hazardous chemicals and explosive substances.
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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken regulatory action against the unauthorised online sale and advertisement of hazardous chemicals, explosive substances and related precursors on digital platforms citing concerns around consumer safety and public security.
The ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution said the action has been initiated under the consumer protection act, 2019.
Accordinf to a news report by news agency ANI, the ministry said the action was taken based on inputs received on the online listing and sale of regulated and potentially dangerous substances on platforms such as IndiaMART, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, Dial4Trade and ExportersIndia.
The ministry said the substances identified include explosive precursors and hazardous chemicals that pose serious risks to public safety and national security if sold without proper safeguards and verification mechanisms.
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Hazardous Chemicals Probe:
The ministry added that unauthorized online access to such hazardous materials could expose consumers to serious safety risks and illegal supply channels.
The CCPA has issued notices to the relevant e-commerce entities and online platforms asking for details concerning seller information, compliance with licensing norms, buyer verification mechanisms, quantities sold, import details and regulatory approvals.
The authority said in a preliminary examination that several hazardous chemicals and explosive substances being listed or advertised online are regulated, restricted, controlled or prohibited under several laws governing public safety and hazardous material handling.
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Public Safety Scrutiny:
The authority stressed that online platforms and intermediaries have to exercise due diligence and ensure compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements before allowing the listing, advertisement or sale of such substances.
The dangerous materials being examined are Ammonium Nitrate, Gun Powder, Picric Acid and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN).
The ministry said the CCPA has issued a total of eight notices to various entities for similar violations involving regulated and potentially dangerous substances.
In its regulatory response, the authority also held discussions with Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation officials to review the existing regulatory framework for hazardous and explosive substances.
