Delhi firecracker market sells products with incomplete green certification QR codes ahead of Diwali
A check at Sadar Bazar revealed that many firecracker boxes carry QR codes lacking required certification details, raising concerns about compliance with the Supreme Court's green firecracker rules.
India Today Digital inspected Sadar Bazar, one of Delhi's largest wholesale firecracker markets, in the days before Diwali. The investigation found several firecracker packages bearing QR codes that did not display the mandatory certification information required for "green" fireworks, such as the PESO licence number and NEERI registration details. Scanning the codes returned only basic manufacturer data, including name, address and contact information, which is already printed on the packaging.
Under the Supreme Court order dated November 2, only certified green firecrackers may be burst in Delhi-NCR for two days, November 7 and 8, within specific time windows and away from designated no-cracker zones. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) issues licences to manufacturers, while the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) tests and certifies fireworks that meet emission-reduction standards, such as at least a 30% lower particulate matter output compared with conventional crackers.
The absence of required certification details on the QR codes makes it difficult for buyers and enforcement agencies to verify whether the products comply with the court's mandate. India Today Digital noted that no police or regulatory officials were observed checking the shops, despite the market being located within 500 metres of a police station. A seller contacted by the team said the shop was closed due to the Supreme Court order but offered a WhatsApp number for continued sales.
Air quality in Delhi deteriorated sharply on the night of November 4-5, with the AQI exceeding 600, a level classified as severe pollution. The Supreme Court's restrictions aim to limit additional emissions from fireworks during the festival period.
The findings highlight a gap between the regulatory framework for green firecrackers and on-ground enforcement, prompting questions about how consumers can differentiate compliant products from those that do not meet the certification criteria.