The Government of India has notified the Gas Cylinders (Amendment) Rules, 2025, introducing changes aimed at enhancing safety and incorporating advancements in gas technology, particularly concerning hydrogen and tracking mechanisms. These amended rules are effective from April 11, 2025.
These rules bring in stricter standards for various aspects of gas cylinders.
Key Amendments Introduced
The rules now explicitly include standards and specifications from the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) for compressed hydrogen gas cylinders and on-board cylinders. This includes CGA S1.1, CGA S-1.2, CGA S-1.3, R-134, and other codes listed in Schedule-I, reflecting the growing importance of hydrogen as an energy source.
Valves fitted to carbon dioxide cylinders will now be mandated to conform to relevant codes accepted by the Chief Controller. Crucially, these valves must be equipped with a bursting disc type safety relief device with specific pressure parameters to prevent accidents.
Cylinders used for compressed hydrogen gas or hydrogen, if fitted with safety relief devices, must adhere to IS: 5903, CGA S-1.1, CGA S-1.2, CGA S-1.3, UN R-134 code, or other approved standards mentioned in Schedule-I for manufacturing and maintenance of these safety features.
All cylinders and cryogenic containers used for filling compressed gases and liquids will now require permanent and tamper-proof bar code marking at a conspicuous location. Existing cylinders manufactured before the rule’s commencement have a 365-day window to comply. Authorities can also request bar code details for safety reasons, which must be provided within 48 hours. Filling of auto-LPG, LNG, compressed biogas, compressed hydrogen gas, and compressed natural gas will only be permitted in cylinders with readable and valid bar codes.
The dispensing of auto-LPG, LNG, compressed biogas, compressed hydrogen gas, and compressed natural gas will be restricted to motor vehicle cylinders approved by the Chief Controller and having passed periodic tests.
Rule 19, concerning precautions against accidents, now explicitly includes “compressed hydrogen gas” alongside hydrogen.
Electrical installations in premises used for filling and storing flammable gases must now comply with IEC or IS/IEC 60079 series standards and other standards approved by the Chief Controller, with mandatory effective earthing. Specific standards are also outlined for electrical components in CNG and hydrogen dispensing stations and hydrogen generation systems, emphasizing equi-potential bonding and grounding.
Cascades fitted with cylinders will require a tamper-proof identification plate with comprehensive information, including manufacturer details, manufacturing and expiry dates of cylinders, serial and model numbers, cylinder sequence, calibration records, and retesting and inspection details.
Compressed biogas, compressed natural gas, and on-board hydrogen cylinders will now be subject to hydrostatic or hydrostatic stretch tests and other tests outlined in Schedule IV every three years.
Rules for condemning composite cylinders are aligned with ISO 11623, mandating mechanical crushing and cutting. The service life for on-board compressed hydrogen gas cylinders is set at fifteen years, and for those in cascades, it’s twenty years.
Obtaining a license for a compressed hydrogen gas dispensing station will now require additional documents, including a layout of the surrounding 500-meter area with hazard and operability studies, detailed layout drawings, emergency response plans as per ISO 14001, piping and instrumentation diagrams, safety interlock systems with leak detection, and other documents as required by the Chief Controller.
All fees under these rules must be paid online, and all required documents for licenses must be submitted electronically.
Focus on Safety and Emerging Fuels
These amendments demonstrate the government’s commitment to enhancing safety standards in the handling of various gases, particularly with the increasing focus on hydrogen as a clean fuel. The mandatory barcoding system is expected to improve tracking and accountability, while the specific regulations for hydrogen infrastructure lay the groundwork for its wider adoption.
