Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Power, Government of India, has issued a notification to amend the Electricity Rules, 2005. The new Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2025, highlight the use and operation of Energy Storage Systems (ESS). According to the amendment, ESS can be used as independent systems or as part of power generation, transmission, or distribution. The rules clarify that ESS can be developed, owned, leased, or operated by generating companies, transmission licensees, distribution licensees, consumers, system operators, or independent service providers. If the ESS is located with a power station, transmission licensee, or consumer, it will have the same legal status as its owner. Even if not co-located, it will still hold the legal status of the owner but be treated as a separate storage element for scheduling and dispatch. The amendment also gives ESS owners the option to sell, lease, or rent storage capacity to utilities, consumers, or load dispatch centres.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has notified amending the import policy condition of ATS-8 covered under Chapter 29 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule - I. Using powers under Section 3 and 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, the import rules for ATS-8 have been revised with immediate effect. According to the amendment, the minimum import price (MIP) condition will not apply to advance authority holders, export oriented units (EOUs) and special economic zone (SEZ) units, provided that the imported material is not sold in the domestic tariff area (DTA). The effect of this notification is that imports of ATS-8 (4R-Cis)-1, 1-Dimethylethyl-6-cyanomethyl-2, 2-dimethyl-1-3-dioxane-4-acetate, priced at less than USD111 per kg, are classified as 'restricted' until 30 September 2026. However, authorized manufacturing and export-focused units remain exempt from this condition. This amendment, approved by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, balances trade regulation with support for export-oriented operations.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), has issued an amendment to the export policy of animal by-products under Chapter 23 of ITC (HS) 2022. The modifications are made under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. A new policy requirement has been implemented for the export of raw materials used in pet food products, such as meat, offal, intestines, glands, bones, hides and similar by-products. These products, which are not intended for human consumption, should now only be sourced from APEDA registered slaughterhouses or municipal slaughterhouses. Furthermore, they must undergo post-mortem inspection and segregation to ensure their suitability for use in pet food. Certification will be granted by the designated veterinary authority of the concerned state or union territory based on the examination by veterinarians registered under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984. The export policy for specific ITC (HS) codes- 23091000, 23099010, and 23099020 has been updated accordingly. This notification brings India’s export requirements in line with EU regulatory standards.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), has announced an important amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. This change affects Advance Authorisation holders, EOUs, and SEZ units that import inputs covered under mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC). Earlier, the export obligation (EO) period for such imports was only 6 months (180 days) from the date of clearance of consignments. With the latest DGFT notification, the EO period has now been extended to 18 months. This aligns the export obligation period with Para 4.40 of the Handbook of Procedures. The amendment provides more flexibility to Advance Authorisation holders while ensuring compliance with QCO requirements. This notification comes into effect immediately with the approval of the Minister of Commerce & Industry.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government revised the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, introduces the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025, in effect from the date of its official publication. Key updates consist of outlining “in-principle or Stage-I approval” and “final or Stage-II approval” for forest land use, simplifying the procedure for linear projects through “working permission,” and permitting non-official members to resign at any time. The laws also expand offline application submissions for defense and emergency projects and extend the expiration of in-principle approvals to two to five years, which includes further extension clauses. The changes increase the need for compensating forests, particularly for the mining of critical minerals, and elucidating land transfers and information. The statutory procedure now enables designated forestry officers to initiate proceedings against offenders under Van Adhenim, enhancing enforcement. Modifications to timelines and inspection protocols aim to increase efficiency. Overall, these amendments reinforce forest conservation while balancing development requirements and procedural clarity.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued the Draft Environment Audit Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These draft rules propose a proper system for environment audits to check if projects, industries, and activities are following environmental laws like the Air Act, Water Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Forest Conservation rules. The draft notification states that Registered Environment Auditors will conduct audits, collect samples, check pollution control systems, and prepare reports. They will also verify compliance for Green Credit Rules 2023, Ecomark Rules 2024, waste management rules, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects. A proposed body called the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) will certify, register, and monitor auditors. Auditors must remain independent, follow a strict code of conduct, and avoid conflicts of interest. Registration will be valid for five years, with renewal possible. The draft rules also provide for a Steering Committee under MoEFCC and CPCB to monitor implementation. In case of disputes, government officers’ reports will have final authority. The aim is to promote compliance, reduce pollution, support climate action, ESG goals, green credit, and sustainable development.