Central Government Proposes Expanded Definition and New Safety Norms for Gas Cylinders

The Central Government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, issued a notification on August 4, 2025, publishing the draft of the Gas Cylinders (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025. These proposed rules aim to amend the existing Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016, exercising powers conferred by sections 5 and 7 of the Explosives Act, 1884. The draft has been made public to invite objections or suggestions from all persons likely to be affected, with a thirty-day period for submissions from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Comments are to be directed to the Director (Explosives) at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

The primary change introduced by the draft rules is a significant revision to sub-rule (xxviii) of rule 2 of the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016, which defines "gas cylinder" or "cylinder." The proposed amendment clarifies and expands this definition to encompass various types of containers and their specific capacities. The legislation provided: "gas cylinder" or "cylinder" means any closed metal container having a volume exceeding five hundred millilitre but not exceeding one thousand liters intended for the storage and transport of compressed gas, including any liquefied petroleum gas container or liquefied natural gas container or compressed natural gas cylinder or compressed hydrogen gas cylinder fitted to a motor vehicle as its fuel tank but not including any other such container fitted to a special transport or undercarriage and includes a composite cylinder and cryogenic container. However, the water capacity of cylinder used for filling and storage of CHG, CNG, nitrogen, compressed air may exceed one thousand liters up to three thousand liters provided the diameter of the nitrogen, compressed air cylinder does not exceed sixty centimeters and the diameter of CHG, CNG cylinder does not exceed eighty centimeters. Provided that Composite cylinders for CHG shall not be wrapped with glass fibre; This revised definition specifically includes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and compressed hydrogen gas cylinders used as fuel tanks in motor vehicles, while excluding certain containers fitted to special transport. It also incorporates composite and cryogenic cylinders within its scope. The draft rules further stipulate that these amendments will come into force on the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette.

The legislative intent behind these draft rules appears to be a comprehensive update to the regulatory framework governing gas cylinders, reflecting advancements in technology and evolving industry requirements. The earlier legal position, as defined in the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016, is being refined to address specific statutory gaps, particularly concerning the capacity limits for certain gases. By allowing the water capacity of cylinders for CHG, CNG, nitrogen, and compressed air to exceed one thousand liters, up to three thousand liters, the amendment facilitates the use of larger storage solutions for these gases, which is crucial for industrial and automotive applications. This expansion is carefully balanced with safety considerations, as evidenced by the imposition of diameter restrictions for these larger cylinders (sixty centimeters for nitrogen and compressed air, and eighty centimeters for CHG and CNG). Furthermore, the specific prohibition on wrapping composite cylinders for CHG with glass fibre indicates a proactive measure to enhance safety standards and potentially address material compatibility or structural integrity concerns for this particular gas. These amendments aim to ensure that the regulations remain robust and relevant, safeguarding public safety while accommodating the practical needs of various sectors involved in the production, storage, and transport of compressed gases.

Keywords: Compressed Gas, LPG, CNG, Hydrogen, Safety Regulations, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Draft Rules
Geo Tags: India, Delhi
District: Not Applicable