PFMA, PCMA seek action: Govt decides to ban import of chloroform

ISLAMABAD: The government has reportedly decided to restrict import of chloroform due to its excessive use that poses serious health and environmental risk, sources told Business Recorder.

Sources said Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) and the Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) approached the concerned ministry with a request to ban the import of chloroform, as it is used as an adhesive in the footwear industry and poses serious health and environmental risks.

The Ministry of Commerce held consultations with the concerned stakeholders that inter alia included Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP), Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination, DRAP and FBR. Broadly,

all stakeholders supported a ban on the import of chloroform.

However, DRAP contended that chloroform is essential as a laboratory re-agent, and is used for quality control testing in pharmaceutical industries, and a complete ban would not be viable as it could compromise the quality assurance.

The matter was also taken up by the Ministry of Climate Change which convened a consultative meeting of the public and the private stakeholders. During the consultations, it was recommended that import of chloroform falling under PCT 2903.1300 should be restricted, subject to allocation of quota to the pharmaceutical consumers and issuance of NOC by DRAP.

Foregoing in view, and based on stakeholders consultations, Ministry of Commerce has proposed that Appendix-B, Part-II, of Import Policy Order, 2022 which deals with the procedural requirements may be amended by inserting an additional PCT code along with commodity description and conditions namely; “Trichloromethane (Chloro-form) falling under PCT heading 2903.1300, shall be importable only by

the pharmaceutical companies/sector, subject to obtaining NOC from Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan(DRAP).”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025