New Delhi, June 6 -- In a move aimed at improving traceability, consumer awareness, and environmental safety, the Centre has notified new labelling rules for insecticide packaging, making quick response (QR) codes, safety pictograms or symbols, and detailed usage instructions mandatory across all sizes of insecticide packs.

The new rules, notified on 5 June, amend the Insecticides Rules, 1971, and will come into force from the date of publication in the official gazette.

This assumes significance as nearly 2.75% of pesticide samples tested across the country in FY24 were found to be substandard or spurious. Of the 80,789 samples analysed, 2,222 failed to meet the prescribed standards, according to data shared by the Ministry of Agricult...