California Consumer Protection Agency Targets Illicit Sales of Explosives and Hazardous Chemicals Online

Central Consumer Protection Authority Cracks Down on Unauthorised Online Sales of Hazardous Chemicals

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated regulatory action against the unauthorised online listing, advertisement, and sale of hazardous chemicals and explosive substances on digital platforms. As part of this effort, the CCPA has issued eight notices to e-commerce entities, which include IndiaMART, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, Dial4Trade, and ExportersIndia.

The action was taken in response to inputs regarding the online listing and sale of regulated substances on these platforms. The notices seek detailed information from the e-commerce entities, including seller information and licensing compliance, buyer verification mechanisms, quantities sold, import details, and applicable regulatory approvals. The substances in question include ammonium nitrate, gun powder, picric acid, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), all of which are regulated, restricted, or prohibited under various laws governing public safety and hazardous substance handling.

The CCPA has underscored the importance of online platforms and intermediaries exercising due diligence and ensuring strict compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements before permitting the listing or sale of hazardous substances. During its preliminary examination, the authority observed that several of these substances were being listed or advertised without the requisite safeguards or verification mechanisms, potentially posing risks to public safety and national security.

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In a coordinated response, the CCPA convened a meeting with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) officials to examine the existing regulatory framework. The CCPA also shared the list of sellers, as provided by the e-commerce entities, with PESO for further action under applicable laws. Following this intervention, several online platforms have begun removing, blocking, or delisting listings related to hazardous chemicals and explosive substances.