Reference · CIB&RC
Three different lists get called “the CIB list”, and they answer three different questions.
What is the CIB insecticide list?
The term usually refers to the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, which lists the substances regulated as insecticides. It is distinct from the list of registered products, which records what has been approved for use, and from the list of banned and restricted pesticides. Checking the wrong list gives the wrong answer.
Three lists, three questions
| List | Answers | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| The Schedule to the Act | Is this substance regulated as an insecticide? | If yes, import and insecticidal use are controlled — whatever you intend to do with it |
| Registered products | Has this product been approved, and by whom? | Determines whether Section 9(4) me-too registration is available to you |
| Banned and restricted | May this substance be used at all? | Prohibition, or restriction to particular uses |
The Schedule is the one that catches people
The Insecticides Act, 1968 regulates substances by identity, not by intended use. If a chemical appears in the Schedule, importing it into India requires CIB&RC permission regardless of whether it will be sprayed on a crop, melted into glass, or formulated into a cosmetic.
This is how ceramics manufacturers importing boric acid, water treatment companies importing biocides, and pharmaceutical firms importing preservatives all end up with consignments held at customs. They were not importing a pesticide, in their own understanding. The Act does not ask what they understood.
The practical rule: before any new import, check the exact substance against the Schedule by chemical name and CAS number — not by trade name. Trade names and technical grades vary; the Schedule listing is what governs.
Registered products: what it tells you commercially
Whether a product is already registered determines your registration route, and therefore your budget and timeline:
- Already registered by someone → Section 9(4) me-too registration is likely available. Months, not years, and a data package centred on your source and equivalence.
- Not registered → Section 9(3) applies. A full chemistry, bio-efficacy, toxicology and residue programme, measured in years.
Checking the register is therefore the cheapest and most valuable piece of research in any project. It should happen before a supply agreement, before a business case is signed off, and certainly before any study is commissioned.
Banned and restricted: check currency, not memory
The Government prohibits or restricts pesticides by notification from time to time, and the position changes. Products have been banned outright, banned for specific crops, restricted to particular users, or phased out over a stated period.
Because the list moves, it should be checked against the current published position rather than relied on from memory or from a secondary source. This matters commercially as well as legally: a molecule under review is a risky basis for a multi-year registration investment, and that risk belongs in the business case.
Why a status check is the first thing we do
A screening against all three lists is quick and it determines the shape of everything downstream — whether you need a permit, which registration route applies, and whether the molecule has a future in the Indian market at all. Clients occasionally find the answer unwelcome. It is considerably less unwelcome than discovering it after commissioning studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check whether a chemical is regulated as an insecticide in India?
Check the exact substance against the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 by chemical name and CAS number, not by trade name. If it is listed, import and insecticidal use are controlled regardless of your intended end use.
Does my end use exempt me if the substance is scheduled?
No. The Act regulates by substance identity. Boric acid imported for ceramics or cosmetics needs the same CIB&RC permission as boric acid imported for pest control, though it is applied for under the non-insecticidal use route.
How do I know if a product is already registered?
Registered product lists are published by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage. Whether your molecule is already registered determines whether the cheaper Section 9(4) route is available to you.
Where can I find the banned pesticides list?
Prohibitions and restrictions are notified by the Government from time to time and published by DPPQ&S. Because the position changes, check the current published list rather than relying on a secondary source or memory.
Can you check a substance for us?
Yes. A screening against the Schedule, the registered product list and the banned and restricted list is normally the first step we take, because it determines the route, the budget and whether the project is viable.
Reviewed: 22 September 2026 · Reflects the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 as amended, including the Insecticides Third (Amendment) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 597(E) dated 8 July 2026). General guidance only — confirm current requirements before acting.
Need a substance checked?
Send us the chemical name and CAS number. We will confirm its Schedule position, registration status and any restrictions.
Talk to Our Regulatory Team