PESO License in India: Complete Guide to Requirements, Process, Documents & Fees

Introduction

A PESO License may be required for businesses involved in specified activities relating to petroleum products, explosives, compressed gases and other regulated hazardous substances in India.

The applicable approval depends on factors including the product, quantity, activity, storage facility, equipment and relevant safety regulations.

Accredited Consultants Private Limited (ACPL) provides regulatory consultancy support for businesses seeking PESO approvals, licences, renewals, amendments and related compliance assistance across India.

What Is a PESO License?

A PESO License is a regulatory approval issued under the framework administered by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) for specified activities involving petroleum, explosives, compressed gases and other regulated hazardous substances.

PESO operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

There is no single PESO licence applicable to every business. Requirements can differ depending on whether the business is involved in storage, transportation, import, export, filling, manufacturing, sale, use or handling of regulated equipment and substances.

What Does PESO Regulate?

Depending on the activity, requirements may arise under:

• Petroleum Rules, 2002
• Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016
• Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016
• Explosives Rules, 2008
• Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012
• Other applicable regulations administered by PESO

Who May Need a PESO License in India?

Petroleum Storage Facilities

Businesses storing petroleum products such as diesel, motor spirit, furnace oil, naphtha or other regulated petroleum products may require applicable approval under the Petroleum Rules, 2002.

Petrol Pumps and Fuel Stations

Retail outlets handling petroleum products for vehicle fuelling may be subject to specific licensing requirements.

Petroleum Transportation

Businesses transporting petroleum through mechanically propelled vehicles may require the applicable transportation licence.

LPG and Compressed Gas Businesses

Businesses involved in compressed gases, gas cylinders and LPG-related operations may come under the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 and/or SMPV (U) Rules, 2016, depending on the activity.

Chemical and Industrial Facilities

Certain industrial chemicals and flammable liquids may require consideration under the applicable petroleum regulatory framework depending on their properties, classification, quantity and use.

PESO License Requirements in India

There is no universal document checklist applicable to every PESO application. Requirements vary according to the specific licence, material, premises, equipment and proposed activity.

Business Documents

• Certificate of Incorporation / Registration
• PAN and GST details, where applicable
• Applicant details
• Authorised signatory information
• Ownership or lease documentation
• Declarations and undertakings

Site Documents

• Site plan
• Location plan
• Layout drawing
• Storage area details
• Access arrangements
• Safety arrangements

Technical Documents

• Equipment specifications
• Storage tank details
• Pipeline information
• Capacity details
• Technical drawings
• Safety equipment details
• Test and inspection certificates, where applicable

Safety Documents

• Fire-fighting arrangements
• Emergency response arrangements
• Safety-distance information
• Relevant NOCs
• Inspection and testing documentation

How to Apply for a PESO License?

1. Identify the Applicable Regulation: Determine whether the activity falls under the Petroleum Rules, Gas Cylinders Rules, SMPV (U) Rules, Explosives Rules, Ammonium Nitrate Rules or another applicable framework.
2. Identify the Correct Licence: Select the appropriate licence according to the actual business activity.
3. Prepare Technical Documentation: Prepare site layouts, installation drawings, storage arrangements, tank details, equipment specifications, safety systems and fire protection arrangements.
4. Prepare Supporting Documents: Compile the applicable business, premises, technical, safety and statutory documents.
5. Submit the Application: Submit the application through the applicable online regulatory process with the required documents and prescribed government fee.
6. Technical Examination: The application and supporting documents may undergo technical scrutiny.
7. Inspection: Where applicable, the facility, installation or equipment may be inspected.
8. Regulatory Query Response: Provide appropriate clarification and supporting documents if queries are raised.
9. Grant of Licence: Once the applicable requirements are satisfactorily completed, the relevant PESO licence or approval may be granted.

PESO License Fees in India

There is no single fixed PESO License fee applicable to all businesses.

Government fees can depend on the licence category, activity, capacity, quantity, installation and applicable regulatory framework.

Professional consultancy charges are separate from government fees. A project quotation may include government fees, testing or inspection expenses where applicable, technical documentation expenses, professional consultancy charges and other project-specific costs.

How Long Does PESO Approval Take?

There is no single approval timeline applicable to every PESO application.

The processing period can depend on the correctness of the licence selection, documentation completeness, technical drawing quality, site readiness, inspection requirements, regulatory queries, application workload and complexity of the installation.

Common Mistakes in PESO Applications

• Selecting the Wrong Licence: Different activities may require different PESO approvals.
• Preparing Technical Drawings Too Late: Site layouts and drawings should be considered during project planning.
• Using Generic Documents: Documents should accurately represent the actual site, equipment and installation.
• Ignoring Quantity and Classification: The nature, properties and quantity of material can influence regulatory requirements.
• Treating Approval as a One-Time Activity: Businesses should also consider applicable renewal, amendment and continuing compliance requirements.

PESO License for Manufacturers, Importers & Industrial Businesses

Manufacturers may encounter PESO requirements when their processes involve regulated petroleum products, compressed gases, pressure vessels or other hazardous materials.

Importers may also have requirements depending on the material being imported and its intended use, storage and handling.

Before starting an application, businesses should determine:

• What material is being handled?
• What quantity is involved?
• What is its applicable classification?
• Is the activity storage, transportation, import, filling or manufacturing?
• Where is the facility located?
• What equipment is being used?
• Which PESO rules apply?
• Which licence or approval is required?

PESO License Renewal & Amendment

Obtaining a PESO licence is only one part of regulatory compliance. Existing licence holders should monitor applicable renewal requirements and ensure that the approval continues to correspond with their actual operations.

Depending on the circumstances, an amendment or modification may be relevant when there are changes to storage capacity, equipment, site layout, product category, business ownership, installation or transportation arrangements.

How ACPL Helps with PESO Licensing

Accredited Consultants Private Limited (ACPL) provides regulatory consultancy support for businesses seeking PESO approvals and compliance assistance.

• PESO applicability assessment
• Licence identification
• Regulatory documentation checklist
• Application preparation
• Online application support
• Technical documentation coordination
• Site and layout document review
• Regulatory query response assistance
• Inspection coordination
• Licence renewal support
• Licence amendment support
• Compliance guidance

PESO Consultant in Noida, Delhi NCR & India

ACPL is based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh and provides regulatory consultancy support to businesses across India.

• Noida
• Greater Noida
• Delhi
• Gurugram
• Ghaziabad
• Mumbai
• Pune
• Ahmedabad
• Vadodara
• Bengaluru
• Hyderabad
• Chennai
• Kolkata
• Jaipur
• Indore
• Nagpur
• Surat

Frequently Asked Questions