India Requires QR Codes Under New Insecticide Labeling Rules
In a move to improve safety, traceability, and awareness, India introduced amendments to the Insecticides Rules, 1971, a set of rules to ensure the regulation of insecticides in the country. Among several changes is the implementation of a QR code on insecticide labels.
Called the Insecticides (First Amendment) Rules, 2025, a major amendment now requires an insecticide manufacturer’s website to link to QR code labels so buyers can access essential insecticide information like batch numbers, manufacturing dates, expiry dates, and safety instructions.
With QR codes as one of the labeling requirements, the Government of India is optimistic that this will help protect insecticide users, particularly the country’s farmers, from unsafe, substandard products by giving them access to more comprehensive information.
Other amendments to the rules include new labeling requirements, disclosure of the product's composition, and new safety instructions.
The changes and additions came after data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare revealed that almost 3% of 80,789 pesticide samples failed to meet standards.
The amendments were announced on June 5, 2025, and are expected to be effective as soon as the official gazette is published.
Table of Contents
Updated safety through labels with QR codes
The Insecticides (First Amendment) Rules, 2025, introduce specific instructions to make labels more informative.
The QR code isn’t the only rule addition that impacts safety. In addition to providing easy access to comprehensive product information through QR codes, amendments also specified new requirements for creating product labels themselves.
New standards regarding label sizes, formatting, safety icons, and warning statements are required for all pesticide labels.
Significant provisions include:
- The brand name must be in bold and not more than 1.5 times the size of the common name.
- The product’s common name should always be placed directly below the brand name.
- The instruction “Read Leaflet Before Use” must be prominently displayed at the top of the label and must be in bold.
- The purpose of the chemical (e.g., “for Agricultural Use,” “for Pest Control Operators,” or “for Household Use”) must be clearly stated on the label.
- The optimal restricted-entry interval (REI), product composition, antidote statement, and safety precautions must be mentioned on the label.
In addition, insecticides will be classified into three categories based on their net content: ultra-small (1-50 gm/ml), small (51-250 gm/ml), and large (more than 250 gm/ml). The new changes will apply to all packages, though each one will have its own display specifications.
Labels must also be printed in Hindi and English to increase accessibility and transparency. If the product is sold in other regions, more languages are required for big packages.
Lastly, labels can have up to three panels, with minimum sizes that match the package face.
Because of the sudden announcement, the amendments also give companies a six-month window to transition to the new format.
In addition, companies will be barred from selling, distributing, or stocking any products that don’t meet the new requirements and specifications after 30 months.
New insecticide labeling rules reflect a commitment to sustainability and market growth
The amendments, from clearer labeling to the inclusion of QR codes, are directed at informing and protecting end users.
With insecticides having adverse effects on human health and the environment, the Government of India shows its commitment to the safety of its citizens and to contributing to sustainability efforts.
This move was also received positively by the country’s farming sector. Kalyan Goswami, director general of the Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI), said, “For too long, substandard or counterfeit labels have posed risks not only to farmers but also to consumers and the environment. Digital traceability could be a game-changer.”
These amendments aren’t the first time the government has introduced changes to the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Changes were made back in 2022, and more have been made since.
Many of the amendments also focused on increasing safety and accountability in the insecticide industry, particularly in the qualifications and responsibilities of roles involved in manufacturing, distributing, and selling insecticides.
The first amendment of 2025 isn’t the first one to involve the use of a dynamic QR code generator, either. An amendment made in March 2023 stated that QR codes should be placed on a retail pack where they can be easily scanned.
While this didn’t require the inclusion of QR codes when making labels, it did require the encoding of the manufacturer’s website into the QR code.
Visitors to the website should be able to see the product’s Unique Identifier/Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, and a link to the manufacturer’s website.
These amendments, especially those made in 2025, don’t just raise the bar for safety and regulation in the insecticide industry.
According to market researcher and consultancy IMARC Group, India’s insecticide market is projected to grow at a rate (CAGR) of 8.01% through 2030, rising from a market value of $321.52 million in 2024 to $508.29 million.
This growth in market value is driven by many factors, one of which is initiatives by the government and the private sector to educate farmers.
What the QR code labelling amendments bring to India
The new labeling requirements for insecticides are a pivotal development regarding customer awareness and safety.
The QR code requirement, which was written to give users all essential information without taking up too much space on the label, allows users to authenticate products, ensure their safety, and be aware of the steps to take in case of emergencies.
The changes also mean more accountability on the part of manufacturers, as more will have to follow suit if they wish to avoid penalties. Thanks to the linking of authentic websites, the fight against counterfeits will also reach new heights.
Having information readily available with one scan improves the tracing of insecticides, especially with the requirement of batch numbers and their GTIN, an identification key used to identify a trade item.
