Compliance Checklist and a corresponding Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for storage of chemicals in warehouses/godowns in India.

[YAGAY andSUN]

✅ COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST: Storage of Chemicals in Warehouses / Godowns (India).

📘 I. Central Government Approvals

Sl. No.	Compliance	Authority	Applicable Law	Status
1	PESO License (if storing flammable/explosive chemicals)	PESO	Petroleum Act, Explosives Act	☐
2	Hazardous Chemical Registration	MoEFCC / SPCB	MSIHC Rules, 1989	☐
3	On-site Emergency Plan	SPCB	Chemical Accidents Rules, 1996	☐
4	Environmental Clearance (if applicable)	MoEFCC	EPA, 1986	☐
5	Factory License (if process qualifies as "factory")	DISH / Labour Dept.	Factories Act, 1948	☐

📗 II. State Pollution Control Requirements

Sl. No.	Compliance	Authority	Applicable Law	Status
6	Consent to Establish (CTE)	SPCB	Water & Air Acts	☐
7	Consent to Operate (CTO)	SPCB	Water & Air Acts	☐
8	Hazardous Waste Authorization (if applicable)	SPCB	HWM Rules, 2016	☐

📙 III. Fire and Safety Approvals

Sl. No.	Compliance	Authority	Applicable Law	Status
9	Fire Safety NOC	State Fire Dept.	Local Fire Safety Rules	☐
10	Installation of Fire-Fighting Equipment	Internal / Consultant	National Building Code	☐

📒 IV. Municipal and Local Approvals

Sl. No.	Compliance	Authority	Applicable Law	Status
11	Trade License / Godown Registration	Local Municipal Body	Shops & Establishments Act	☐
12	Building Plan Approval	Local Town Planning Authority	Municipal Bylaws	☐
13	Occupancy Certificate	Local Body	Municipal Laws	☐
14	Property Tax Registration	Local Body	Municipal Finance Rules	☐

📕 V. GST and Taxation Requirements

Sl. No.	Compliance	Authority	Applicable Law	Status
15	GST Registration	CBIC / GST Dept.	CGST/SGST Act	☐
16	Use of correct SAC/HSN Code (e.g., SAC 9985)	GST Portal	GST Act	☐
17	Proper GST Invoicing & E-Way Bill Generation	Internal / CA	GST Rules	☐
18	Input Tax Credit (ITC) Documentation	Internal / Auditor	GST Act	☐

📓 VI. Safety and Operational Requirements

Sl. No.	Compliance	Responsibility	Notes	Status
19	Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)	Safety Officer	For all stored chemicals	☐
20	Staff Training & PPE Usage	HR / Safety	First-aid, evacuation	☐
21	Mock Drills and Emergency Response Plan	Safety Officer	Periodic drills mandatory	☐
22	Segregation and Labelling of Chemicals	Operations	As per hazard class	☐
23	Spill Control and Waste Disposal SOP	Environment / Safety	As per SPCB norms	☐

📝 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)

Title: Storage and Handling of Chemicals in Warehouse / Godown

1. Objective:

To define the standard procedure for the safe and compliant storage of chemicals in warehouse premises in accordance with statutory and environmental regulations.

2. Scope:

Applies to all warehouses or godowns operated by the company where chemicals are stored—hazardous or non-hazardous.

3. Responsibilities:

Role	Responsibility
Warehouse Manager	Ensure day-to-day compliance and safety
Safety Officer	Oversee emergency protocols, PPE usage, MSDS
Legal/Compliance Team	Obtain and renew regulatory permissions
Accounts/Tax Team	Ensure GST compliance
HR/Training Coordinator	Conduct safety drills and training

4. Procedure:

4.1 Regulatory Permissions

• Obtain PESO, Fire, SPCB, and municipal approvals before operations.
• Maintain a compliance register with all NOCs and license renewal dates.

4.2 Chemical Storage Protocol

• Store chemicals in designated, labelled areas as per hazard classification.
• Follow segregation rules—flammables, corrosives, oxidizers, etc., must be stored separately.
• Use proper secondary containment (drip trays, bunds).

4.3 Safety Measures

• Equip site with fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and smoke detectors.
• Conduct quarterly mock drills and annual safety audits.
• Maintain first-aid kits, PPE stock, and emergency contact lists.

4.4 Documentation

• Maintain updated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all products.
• Keep logbooks for incoming/outgoing chemical stock.

4.5 GST Compliance

• Charge and remit GST on warehousing services (SAC 9985), if applicable.
• Generate e-way bills for inter/intra-state movement of goods.
• Maintain all input tax invoices and ensure timely filing of GST returns.

5. Records to Maintain:

• Approvals & NOCs (Fire, Pollution, PESO)
• Chemical Inventory Register
• MSDS Files
• Emergency Drill Reports
• Staff Training Logs
• GST invoices & filings

6. Review & Audit:

• Internal audits must be conducted bi-annually.
• Regulatory compliance audit to be done annually by a qualified consultant.

7. Revision History:

Version	Date	Description	Approved By
1.0	[Insert Date]	Initial SOP Release	Safety Head

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Disclaimer - Not an Legal Opinion. Just for knowledge Enrichment.

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