Overview
The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), headquartered in Nagpur, is India’s regulator for the safe handling of explosives, petroleum, compressed gases and other hazardous substances. It works under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
PESO administers several laws and rules, including:
- Explosives Act, 1884 and the Explosives Rules, 2008
- Petroleum Act, 1934 and the Petroleum Rules, 2002
- Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016
- Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016
For manufacturers of electrical and mechanical equipment, the most common PESO requirement is approval of equipment for use in hazardous areas, such as flameproof and other Ex-protected electrical equipment used at refineries, fuel stations, chemical plants and gas installations. PESO also approves gas cylinders, valves and regulators, and licenses premises that store petroleum, gases or explosives.
PESO’s official website is https://peso.gov.in. Applications are made online after registering on the National Single Window System (NSWS).
Who needs it
- Manufacturers and importers of Ex electrical equipment for hazardous areas.
- Foreign manufacturers of such equipment, gas cylinders and valves supplying Indian projects.
- Owners of installations that store or handle petroleum, compressed gases or explosives.
- EPC contractors who must use PESO-approved equipment in classified areas.
Products covered
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Ex electrical equipment | Flameproof motors, lighting fittings, junction boxes, switches, control stations, panels |
| Instrumentation | Transmitters, gas detectors, analysers, solenoid valves for hazardous areas |
| Gas cylinders and accessories | Cylinders, valves, regulators |
| Pressure vessels | Static and mobile pressure vessels for compressed and liquefied gases |
| Premises | Petroleum storage, fuel stations, LPG and CNG installations, explosives magazines |
Documents required
For Ex electrical equipment approval, typically:
- Application in the PESO form, with fee
- Test report and certificate from a recognised Ex testing agency, to the IEC 60079 series or equivalent Indian Standards
- Certified drawings matching the tested equipment
- Details of protection concept, zone, gas group and temperature class
- Manufacturer details, factory address and quality-system certificates
- Authorisation of the Indian representative (for foreign manufacturers)
- Marking and nameplate details, and operating and maintenance instructions
Process
- Define the scope. Identify the equipment, protection concept, zone and gas group, and the rules under which approval is needed.
- Testing and certification. Have the equipment tested by a recognised Ex testing agency and obtain the test report and certificate.
- Prepare the dossier. Align drawings, reports and markings so they match exactly.
- Register on NSWS and select the relevant PESO form.
- File online with documents and pay the fee.
- Scrutiny. PESO reviews the application and may raise queries.
- Approval letter. PESO issues the approval with its conditions of use and manufacture.
Validity, renewal & surveillance
PESO approvals and licences carry the validity and conditions stated on them. Ex equipment approvals can be made subject to the continued validity of the underlying certification, such as an IECEx quality assessment report. Changes to design, factory or ratings need an amendment. PESO can amend or withdraw approvals in the interest of safety, and inspects licensed premises.
Note: PESO fees and forms differ by rule and type of approval and change from time to time. We’ll share a current fee estimate for your application.
MSME / Udyam registration
Alongside PESO work, we can help eligible businesses with Udyam (MSME) registration. Udyam registration is free, based on self-declaration and done online at https://udyamregistration.gov.in.
How Aaditech helps
Aaditech is an NABCB-accredited Type A inspection body for electrical equipment (ISO/IEC 17020:2012), promoted by former Directors of the Bureau of Indian Standards. Our CEO, Mr B.K. Jain, headed the BIS electrical laboratory. That background matters for hazardous-area equipment, where approvals depend on technical documents matching exactly.
- Scope check: rules, zones and gas groups that apply to your product.
- Dossier review: test reports, drawings and markings checked for consistency before filing.
- Lab coordination with Ex testing agencies where fresh testing is required.
- NSWS and PESO filing, fee payment and query handling.
- Amendments and renewals when designs or certificates change.
Contact us to discuss approval for your hazardous-area equipment.
