New chemical rules may disrupt economy, says LCCI

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has voiced strong concerns over recent regulatory changes to Pakistan’s flashpoint standards for imported chemicals. These new standards, which affect the import, transportation, and storage of 40 chemicals, could severely impact local industries.

The affected chemicals include Prop-BH, isobutanol (IBA), styrene monomer, gum turpentine, n-butanol (normal butyl alcohol), butyl acrylate, acetic acid, among others.

In a letter to Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Musadik Malik, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad expressed alarm over the lack of consultation with the business community before implementing these standards. He warned that thousands of industries, which depend on these chemicals as essential raw materials, could be put at risk.

The LCCI president noted that the new regulations took effect immediately, while the required DPL (dangerous product licence) application process can take up to two years to complete. “The industry cannot survive for such an extended period without these necessary chemicals,” Shad stated, stressing the urgency of the issue.

The disruption could heavily impact critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, printing, plastics, and paint manufacturing, which all depend on the affected chemicals. These sectors produce essential products like life-saving drugs, food items, and everyday consumer goods, meaning that shortages would not only harm industries but also disrupt daily life for millions of people across the country. Shad also highlighted additional problems arising from the new policy.