BIS Establishes 10 Indian Standards for Paints, Chemicals, and Radioactivity Monitoring

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under a notification dated October 6th 2025 (Ref: HQ-PUB013/1/2020-PUB-BIS (1337)), has established 10 new Indian Standards, with effective dates from 23 September 2025. These standards span diverse domains such as paints and pigments, chemical safety, chlorine tablets, and radiation monitoring in nuclear and medical facilities.

These standards replace older versions in several cases and introduce new regulatory benchmarks in public safety and industrial processes.

📋 Summary of New Indian Standards

Sl. No.Standard Number & TitleEffective FromSuperseded StandardWithdrawal Date
1IS 55:2025Ultramarine Blue for Paints – Specification (2nd Rev)23 Sept 2025IS 55:197023 Mar 2026
2IS 56:2025Prussian Blue (Iron Blue) for Paints – Spec. (3rd Rev)23 Sept 2025IS 56:199323 Mar 2026
3IS 4644 (Part 1):2025BTX Code of Safety: Benzene (1st Rev)23 Sept 2025IS 4644:196823 Mar 2026
4IS 4644 (Part 2):2025BTX Code of Safety: Toluene (1st Rev)23 Sept 2025IS 4644:196823 Mar 2026
5IS 4644 (Part 3):2025BTX Code of Safety: Xylene (1st Rev)23 Sept 2025IS 4644:196823 Mar 2026
6IS 9825:2025Chlorine Tablets – Specification (3rd Rev)23 Sept 2025IS 9825:200323 Mar 2026
7IS 19378:2025Base Paper for Sublimation Coating – Spec.23 Sept 2025NANA
8IS 19389:2025 / ISO 16640:2021Monitoring Radioactive Gases in PET Radiopharmaceutical Facilities23 Sept 2025NANA
9IS 19390:2025 / ISO 19017:2015Gamma Spectrometry for Radioactive Waste23 Sept 2025NANA
10IS 19392:2025 / ISO 8690:2024Ease of Decontamination – Surface Materials (Gamma/Beta Radionuclides)23 Sept 2025NANA

🔍 Key Highlights

🎨 Paints and Pigments

  • Updated specifications for Ultramarine Blue and Prussian Blue ensure improved color consistency, safety, and eco-compliance for paint manufacturers.

🧪 BTX Chemicals

  • Safety codes for Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene now split into individual parts, modernizing the decades-old IS 4644:1968 and aligning with chemical safety regulations.

💊 Chlorine Tablets

  • The revision to IS 9825 enhances quality standards for disinfection tablets used in public health, water treatment, and sanitation programs.

☢️ Radioactivity Monitoring

  • Three new standards (IS 19389, IS 19390, IS 19392) based on ISO norms cover:
    • Monitoring radioactive gases in PET facilities
    • Gamma spectrometry for waste analysis
    • Testing the ease of surface decontamination for radionuclides

📌 Implications

StakeholderAction Required
Paint & Coating IndustryAlign product formulations with new pigment specifications
Chemical Industry (BTX Users)Update safety protocols and storage procedures
Public Health AgenciesAdopt updated chlorine tablet specs for disinfection
Radiation Facilities (Nuclear & Medical)Implement new measurement and safety procedures as per ISO-adopted standards

📆 Important Dates

  • New Standards Effective: 23 September 2025
  • Withdrawal of Previous Versions: 23 March 2026 (where applicable)

📢 Conclusion

These new BIS standards mark a significant modernization in India’s regulatory framework, especially in the areas of industrial safety, public health, and nuclear monitoring. Stakeholders are encouraged to transition to the new standards promptly to ensure compliance and operational safety.

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