The Central Government has notified the Gas Cylinders (Third Amendment) Rules, 2025 after inviting public comments via G.S.R. 241(E) dated April 15, 2025. As no objections or suggestions were received, the final rules have now been enacted. These changes aim to enhance safety and align with international standards for cylinders, valves, regulators, and hydrogen storage systems.

Key Amendments are as follows-

1. In rule 4, in sub-rule (1), —

(a) in clause (viii), after the word “container”, the words, letters and figures “conforming to IS 18608 or ISO 21011 or” shall be inserted;

(b) in clause (ix) after the words “conforming to”, the letters, figure and word “CGA V-1 or”, shall be inserted.

2. In rule 19, after sub-rule (4), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely: –

“(5) The materials used for manufacturing gas cylinders, valves and LPG regulators shall be conforming to IS/ISO 11114-1 and IS/ISO 11114-2 standards and cylinders, valves and regulators used for all other gases shall have suitable metallic and non-metallic materials, with approval of Chief Controller.”. 

3. In rule 21, after sub-rule (7), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-

“(8) The roof of hydrogen storage system shall conform to CGAPS-46 standard.”.

4. In rule 35, after sub-rule (4), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely: –

“(5) The cylinder used for hydrogen service shall be subjected to following tests, namely: –

(a) ISO 17081: Method of measurement of hydrogen permeation and determination of hydrogen uptake and transport in metals by an electrochemical technique;

(b) ISO 10587: Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Test for residual embrittlement in both metallic-coated and uncoated externally-threaded articles and rods —Inclined wedge method;

(c) ISO 16573: Steel — Measurement method for the evaluation of hydrogen embrittlement resistance of high strength steels Part1: Constant load test;

(d) ISO 15330: Fasteners — Preloading test for the detection of hydrogen embrittlement—Parallel bearing surface method.”.

5. In the said rules, in Schedule V, in FORM H, in CONDITIONS, after serial number 11, the following serial number shall be inserted namely: –

“(11a) The fuel system of the vehicle operating on hydrogen shall conform to the relevant provisions of ISO 21266-1 or ISO 21266-2, as the case may be, or any other code accepted by the Chief Controller.”