E-commerce firms selling pesticides asked to verify licenses in Gautam Budh Nagar

Greater Noida's agriculture department warns e-commerce firms to verify pesticide licenses and comply with regulations, or face action under the Insecticides Act.

GREATER NOIDA: The Gautam Budh Nagar agriculture department has directed e-commerce firms selling pesticides online toverify licenses and follow regulatory rules warning of action against violators under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

District agriculture protection officer Vivek Dubey said the state government has made it mandatory for e-commerce entities selling pesticides to comply with provisions under the Insecticides Rules, 1973. (HT Archive)

District agriculture protection officer Vivek Dubey said the state government has made it mandatory for e-commerce entities selling pesticides to comply with provisions under the Insecticides Rules, 1973.

“Only licensed sellers can sell pesticides online during the validity period of their licence and must comply with all rules under the provisions,” said Dubey.

Officials said e-commerce platforms must verify validity of licences with the concerned state licensing authority before allowing online sales.

E-commerce operators and licence holders have also been asked to comply with provisions of the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, notified through Gazette notification GSR No. 462(E) dated July 23, 2020, along with subsequent amendments, if any.

“Strict compliance with licensing and regulatory provisions for online sale of pesticides is mandatory. Action will be taken against any e-commerce entity or firm found stocking or selling pesticides without a valid licence,” Dubey added.