Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, has issued a notification on 18th August 2025 under the Customs Act, 1962 and the Finance Act, 2021. Through this notification, the Central Government has granted full exemption from customs duty and Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess on the import of cotton, classified under heading 5201 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The decision has been taken in public interest to support domestic industries and ensure adequate raw material availability. This exemption will apply to all imports of cotton into India during the specified period. The notification clearly states that the exemption shall come into effect from 19th August 2025 and remain valid till 30th September 2025. By temporarily removing these duties, the government aims to ease pressure on the textile sector, stabilize raw material costs, and promote smooth supply chain operations in the cotton and allied industries during this period.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has released the Draft Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 on 11 August 2025. These proposed changes amend the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 to update the fee schedule and procedural aspects for various GI-related activities. The revised First Schedule outlines new fees for applications, renewals, oppositions, authorised user registrations, rectifications, and GI agent registrations. Separate provisions have been introduced for domestic and convention country applications, with class-wise fee structures for single and multiple class filings.  Charges have also been rationalised for administrative changes, such as corrections in name or address, and for services like searches, certified copies, and duplicate certificates. Additional updates include specified charges for interventions, extensions of time, review applications, and requests for additional protection to certain goods. The amendments aim to bring greater clarity, ensure transparent cost structures, and align GI processes with current trade and intellectual property practices. These changes are expected to make Geographical Indication registration and protection in India more streamlined, efficient, and supportive of traditional product recognition.

Subject

Summary: On 11 August 2025, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued notification imposing new port restrictions on select jute products imported from Bangladesh. As per the amendment to ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1 (Import Policy), imports of bleached and unbleached woven jute fabrics, twine, cordage, ropes, cables, and jute sacks from Bangladesh will no longer be allowed via land ports on the India-Bangladesh border. These items, under HS Codes 531090, 560890, 560790, and 630510, can now only enter India through the Nhava Sheva Seaport. The measure, effective immediately, follows earlier DGFT notifications issued in May and June 2025, and aims to regulate import channels while keeping other trade policy provisions unchanged. This step affects India-Bangladesh trade in the jute sector significantly.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has informed the Legal Metrology (General) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2025, under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. These rules revise the Eighth Schedule of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, explicitly Part VI, Part C. Key updates comprise a revised definition of a complete thermometer. It now denotes to a device that includes a unit for measuring and indicating temperature, either as an interchangeable system that is compatible with the response of the probe or as a permanently connected unit. Moreover, clause (i) of paragraph 5(1) has been updated. The acceptable temperature range for specific devices has been altered from “36.9°C to 37.1°C” to a broader and more standardized “37°C = 1°C.” Additionally, a correction has been done in Note (2) by updating the reference from “5(2) (7)” to “5(2) (i)”. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure better precision, accuracy and standardization measuring instruments under legal metrology, mainly thermometers. The changes will come into effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Power, in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, has issued new energy efficiency standards for domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves. Effective from 1st January 2026, all LPG stoves sold, imported, or manufactured in India must meet the IS 4246:2002 standard. Each LPG stove must carry a star label indicating its thermal efficiency, ranging from 1 Star (≥68%) to 5 Star. Testing must follow IS 4246:2002, with no negative tolerance allowed. The lowest efficiency burner determines the star rating. Only stoves certified by BIS and tested by NABL/ILAC/APAC/CSIR-approved labs are eligible. Manufacturers must register through the Standards & Labeling Portal and submit test reports for three stove samples. These rules aim to promote energy-efficient LPG stoves, reduce gas usage, and support energy conservation in India.  

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Power has released a draft notification for the Energy Conservation (Compliance Enforcement) Rules, 2025, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. These rules aim to ensure energy efficiency across industries, manufacturers, importers, and other relevant entities. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will lead the process of monitoring, verifying, and reporting non-compliance. If any entity fails to meet energy efficiency norms, penalties will be imposed as per the law. Reports must be submitted regularly to BEE, which will then verify and report to the Central Government. State Electricity Regulatory Commissions will handle adjudication, and penalties collected will be credited to the Central Energy Conservation Fund, with 90% going to the states. BEE will also create regulations and issue guidelines for these rules. This initiative promotes sustainable energy use, regulatory compliance, and clean energy adoption, contributing to India’s energy conservation goals and efficient resource management.