New Delhi, Dec 26: The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, on Thursday released IS 19412:2025 – Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) — Specification, a new Indian Standard developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), aimed at enhancing consumer safety and product quality in the agarbatti sector.
The standard was unveiled on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It introduces comprehensive safety, quality and environmental benchmarks for the manufacture of agarbattis, addressing growing concerns related to health, indoor air quality and sustainability.
The newly notified standard prohibits the use of several insecticidal chemicals and synthetic fragrance substances that pose potential risks to human health and the environment. These include chemicals such as alethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and fipronil, along with fragrance intermediates like benzyl cyanide, ethyl acrylate and diphenylamine. Many of these substances are already restricted or banned internationally.
IS 19412:2025 classifies agarbattis into machine-made, hand-made and traditional masala varieties, and lays down clear requirements related to raw materials, burning characteristics, fragrance performance and chemical parameters. The standard aims to ensure safer products, improved quality consistency and enhanced consumer confidence.
Products complying with the standard will be eligible to carry the BIS Standard Mark, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The move is also expected to promote ethical manufacturing practices, strengthen environmental safeguards and improve global market access for Indian agarbatti products.
The standard has been formulated by the Fragrance and Flavour Sectional Committee (PCD 18) of BIS through extensive consultations with stakeholders, including experts from CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj, and the All India Agarbatti Manufacturers Association.
India is currently the world’s largest producer and exporter of agarbattis, with the industry valued at approximately ₹8,000 crore and exports worth around ₹1,200 crore to over 150 countries. The sector supports a vast ecosystem of artisans, micro-entrepreneurs and small manufacturers, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, and provides significant employment opportunities, especially for women.
Agarbattis, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual traditions, are widely used in homes, temples, meditation centres and wellness spaces. With growing global interest in yoga, meditation and holistic living, the new standard is expected to further strengthen India’s position as a leading and responsible producer of incense products worldwide.
