In a major move to regulate the quality of incense sticks, the government has—for the first time—notified official Indian Standards for agarbatti, laying down clear safety norms and a list of banned substances that manufacturers cannot use.
The standards, formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), prohibit the use of several insecticidal chemicals such as allethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and fipronil, along with certain synthetic fragrance intermediates like benzyl cyanide, ethyl acrylate and diphenylamine. Many of these chemicals are restricted globally due to concerns about health risks, indoor air pollution and environmental toxicity.
The new norms were unveiled by consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi on Consumer Rights Day. Though currently voluntary, they are expected to become a benchmark for quality and safety in the fast‑growing incense market.
Quality Parameters Defined for the First Time
Under the new standards, incense sticks will be categorised into Machine-made agarbatti, Hand-made agarbatti and Traditional masala agarbatti.
The norms specify requirements for raw material quality, burning performance, fragrance stability and chemical composition—marking the first structured attempt to formalise quality control in the sector.
Global Safety Concerns Trigger Push for Standards
Incense sticks are deeply woven into India’s cultural and religious traditions and widely used in homes, temples, meditation centres and wellness spaces. With yoga, aromatherapy and holistic wellness gaining global traction, demand for agarbatti has risen sharply worldwide.
However, international studies—particularly in Europe—have flagged growing concerns over the chemicals used in fragranced products. Certain synthetic substances used historically in incense production have been linked to respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, neurological impacts and environmental harm when inhaled regularly indoors.
Officials say the new standards aim to address these concerns while ensuring that Indian incense products meet global safety expectations.
India Leads the Global Agarbatti Market
India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of agarbatti, with the domestic industry valued at around ₹8,000 crore annually. The country exports incense products worth nearly ₹1,200 crore every year to over 150 countries. Major export destinations include the US, Malaysia, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico, along with markets across North America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
With the new standards in place, the government hopes to boost safety, sustainability and export competitiveness, ensuring that India’s traditional fragrance industry remains globally trusted and compliant with emerging regulations.
