Consumer protection regulator gets 3,940 sellers of explosive chemicals delisted from e-commerce platforms

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken enforcement action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, read with the Explosives Act, 1884 and the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, against the unauthorised online listing and sale of regulated explosive substances such as ammonium nitrate, gun powder, picric acid and PETN. These substances may lawfully be sold only by persons holding a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), with platforms expected to verify sellers' licence details and buyers' identity before a sale. Acting against listings on seven platforms, including IndiaMART, TradeIndia, Dial4Trade, Justdial and ExportersIndia, the CCPA secured the delisting of 3,940 sellers and listing entries after finding that sellers' licensed status had not been verified.

It has passed final orders imposing penalties of ten lakh rupees each on Dial4Trade and on ExportersIndia's operator for separate instances of selling ammonium nitrate, PETN and picric acid without the required verification, with further proceedings against other platforms continuing. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said the action is meant to strengthen consumer safety, public security and responsible e-commerce practices, and asked the public to report any online sale of explosives to the National Consumer Helpline.