Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi
Released New BIS Standard for Incense
Sticks toEnhance Consumer Safety and Product Quality
It was a great moment of achievement for India’s incense industry as IS 19412:2025 – Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) Specification was released by the Bureau of Indian Standards during National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, focusing on improving consumer safety, product quality, sustainability, and regulatory compliance across the Indian agarbatti sector.
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Mr. Pralhad Joshi released IS 19412:2025 – Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) Specification, a new Indian Standard developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The standard was officially introduced on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam.
The introduction of this standard marked a significant step towards improving consumer safety, maintaining product quality, and promoting environmentally responsible manufacturing practices within the agarbatti industry.
Key Highlights of IS 19412:2025
The newly notified standard addressed concerns related to the use of harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrance substances in incense sticks that could negatively impact human health, indoor air quality, and the environment.
IS 19412:2025 specified a list of prohibited substances for use in agarbattis. The restricted substances included insecticidal chemicals such as alethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and fipronil. The standard also restricted the use of synthetic fragrance intermediates, including benzyl cyanide, ethyl acrylate, and diphenylamine.
Several of these substances had already been restricted or banned internationally because of their potential risks to human health, ecological safety, and indoor environmental conditions.
Focus on Consumer Safety and Sustainability
The development of the standard reflected increasing concerns regarding consumer safety, indoor air quality, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Global restrictions on certain chemical compounds and fragrance ingredients further highlighted the need for a dedicated Indian Standard specifically designed for agarbattis.
The standard classified agarbattis into three categories:
Machine-made agarbattis
Hand-made agarbattis
Traditional masala agarbattis
Additionally, it prescribed requirements related to raw materials, burning quality, fragrance performance, and chemical parameters. These measures aimed to ensure safer products and consistent quality standards for consumers.
BIS Certification and Consumer Confidence
Products complying with IS 19412:2025 became eligible to carry the BIS Standard Mark. This certification was intended to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions with greater confidence.
The notification of the new standard was also expected to strengthen consumer trust, encourage ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices, support traditional livelihoods, and improve the global market access of Indian agarbatti products.
Collaborative Development of the Standard
The standard was developed by the Fragrance and Flavour Sectional Committee (PCD 18) of BIS through extensive consultations with industry stakeholders and subject matter experts.
Several reputed institutions contributed to the formulation of the standard, including:
CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)
CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR)
CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI)
Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC)
All India Agarbatti Manufacturers Association
Their collective expertise helped establish a comprehensive framework focused on quality assurance, consumer safety, and sustainable industry growth.
India’s Agarbatti Industry and Global Presence
India remained the world’s largest producer and exporter of agarbattis, with the industry estimated at approximately ₹8,000 crore annually. Agarbatti exports were valued at nearly ₹1,200 crore and reached more than 150 countries worldwide.
The sector supported a vast ecosystem of artisans, MSMEs, and micro-entrepreneurs, especially across rural and semi-urban regions. It also generated significant employment opportunities, particularly for women.
Incense sticks continued to hold deep cultural and religious significance in India and were widely used in households, places of worship, meditation centres, and wellness spaces.
Growing Global Demand for Incense Products
The growing global interest in yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and holistic wellness contributed to a substantial rise in demand for incense products across both domestic and international markets.
The introduction of IS 19412:2025 therefore represented an important milestone in ensuring that Indian agarbatti products aligned with evolving global quality, safety, and sustainability expectations while preserving the traditional essence of the industry.
Source: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
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