The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated regulatory action against seven online platforms over the unauthorised listing, hosting, advertising and sale of regulated and hazardous explosive substances — including ammonium nitrate, gunpowder, picric acid and PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) — the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Monday.

The platforms named are IndiaMART, TradeIndia, Dial4Trade, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, ExportersIndia and Ibuychemikals. Together they furnished details of 3,940 sellers and listing entries, and the listings have been delisted, the ministry said. IndiaMART accounted for the largest share at 3,092, followed by ExportersIndia (421), Justdial (206) and TradeIndia (166).

The CCPA has so far passed final orders imposing penalties totalling Rs 30 lakh (yaani thirty lakh rupees): Rs 10 lakh on Dial4Trade for the sale of ammonium nitrate, and two penalties of Rs 10 lakh each on ExportersIndia (Weblink.In Pvt Ltd) — one for ammonium nitrate and PETN, and one for picric acid.

These substances are regulated under the Explosives Act, 1884 and the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012. Their lawful sale requires the prescribed licence, and platforms are expected to ensure sellers' valid PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) licence details are disclosed and buyers' licensed status is verified, the ministry said. The action was taken under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, and was aimed at strengthening consumer safety, public security and responsible e-commerce practices.

Dial4Trade challenged the CCPA order before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which dismissed its appeal on October 9, 2026, holding the listings amounted to misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, according to the ministry. Proceedings involving other platforms are continuing: IndiaMART has challenged the show-cause notices before the Delhi High Court, Justdial's next hearing is scheduled for October 23, and investigations involving TradeIndia, Sigma-Aldrich Chemicals and Ibuychemikals are underway, the ministry said.

Sources: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution / PIB release; IANS; CCPA orders reported by national outlets.