The government has finally issued the rules on the Formalin Control Act 2015, incorporating some strict provisions for checking indiscriminate use of formalin, officials said.    Â
The rules specify the licensing authority and suggest forming committees to monitor formalin trade at district and upazila level for ensuring health safety.
The parliament on November 16, 2015 passed the act aiming to check use of the chemical in laboratories, hospitals, tanneries, textiles and hatcheries.
The act proposes maximum life sentence with Tk 2.0 million in fine for offenders.
Anyone importing formalin without license will be imprisoned for two and a half years and pay up to Tk 300,000 in fine. One in possession of equipment that may be used to produce formalin will be jailed for two and a half years and fined up to Tk 200,000.
The offenders will be tried at special tribunal under the Special Powers Act 1974. First-class magistrate courts and mobile courts can also try the offenders.
Formalin has been widely used in perishable food stuff to make them appear fresh despite its harmful effects on human body.
The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) issued the rules on the act on December 29, 2015.
Under the rules, MoC will give license for importing formalin, and the Ministry of Industries (MoI) will give permission (license) for production of formalin.
The maximum punishment for breaching terms of license is seven years in prison with Tk 0.5 million in fine, and the government can revoke the license as well.
Regarding enforcement of the rules a high official of MoC said they will sit with the officials concerned next week for their implementation.
The rules also suggest constituting committees at district and upazila level for monitoring formalin trade.
The district formalin control committee will preserve name, telephone number, fax and e-mail of the people involved in importing, sale, marketing, transportation and use of formalin. Â
The deputy commissioner (DC), district superintendent of police (SP), civil surgeon, food controller, information officer, livestock officer, fishery officer, and representatives from Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP), print and electronic media, Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI), district chamber, Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and municipality concerned will be included in the district-level committee.
The committee could co-opt one or two persons, if necessary. Â
In the upazila-level committee the chairman of upazila parishad, upazila nirbahi officer, health and family planning officer, officer in-charge of the police station concerned, food officer, food controller, information officer, livestock officer, fishery officer, upazila youth development officer, chairmen of all union parisahds of the upazila, and representatives from Ansar and VDP, DNCRP, print and electronic media, BSTI, district chamber, CAB, DAE and municipality will be included.
The committee could co-opt one or two persons, if necessary.  Â
   talhabinhabib@yahoo.com