From code to clarity: One square inch at a time
India's digital infrastructure has rapidly expanded, driven by the 2015
Digital India
initiative, transforming access to services, finance, and information. A key enabler of this shift is the QR code, which, coupled with the growth of the Unified Payments Interface (
UPI
), has become ubiquitous across various sectors.
In FY 2023–24 alone, over 100 billion UPI transactions were conducted—bringing digital payments fully into the mainstream. Its low cost and ease of use have particularly empowered small businesses and those in the informal sector to participate in the digital economy, bypassing traditional infrastructure.
Initially introduced as a payment tool, the QR code has taken on a second life. It has become an access point—not just to money, but to information. Across medicine boxes, home appliances, packaged food, and public services, QR codes are quietly replacing printed materials. India now accounts for over 13 per cent of global QR code scans, second only to China. This evolution is not driven by hype but by practical utility.
Building on this momentum, recent steps towards modernizing regulatory frameworks are embracing the power of digital connectivity. On August 16, 2024, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
issued a set of proposed amendments to the
Insecticides Rules
, 1971.
Known as the Insecticides (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2024, these changes are aimed at modernizing and streamlining the regulation of insecticides, particularly those intended for household use. The amendments focus on simplifying licensing procedures, reducing administrative timelines, and introducing digital tools to enhance consumer access to product information.
The new rules remove the renewal requirement for certain licenses, shorten application processing from ninety to thirty days, and exempt household insecticides from some endorsement and certification requirements. Most notably, the rules mandate QR codes on the packaging of household insecticides such as those used against mosquitoes, cockroaches, and houseflies. These QR codes will link consumers to the manufacturer's website, where full product information will be hosted.
The decision is also timely, given broader concerns over waste and sustainability. India is facing a growing paper waste problem. By 2026–27, paper consumption is expected to reach 30 million tonnes. Today, the country produces about 1.45 lakh metric tonnes of solid waste every year, and over one-fifth of that is just paper and cardboard. Yet less than 30% of this paper is recovered and recycled—far below the global average of 58 per cent.
In this context, QR codes offer a quiet but effective alternative. Unlike paper inserts—which are often hard to read, easily misplaced, or quickly outdated—QR codes don't wear out, don't run out of space, and can be updated at any time. They're easy to access with a phone, which most people now carry. And they help cut down on waste, save printing costs, and support digital habits. In small but important ways, they reduce the environmental burden while making life simpler for consumers.
There are cost implications as well. For manufacturers, replacing physical leaflets with digital codes reduces recurring printing and distribution expenses. These savings can be redirected into product development or compliance improvements. For consumers, the change means easier access to information and less reliance on fragmented or unclear printed materials.
These are proposed amendments, and the final gazette notification is still awaited. The draft reflects an intent to make regulation more efficient, less burdensome for businesses, and more transparent for consumers. The decision by the
Ministry of Agriculture
reflects a practical shift in regulation—toward simplification, efficiency, and traceability.
It is a model that could be extended further. The
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
, which oversees regulation of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as packaged food and personal care products, could adopt a similar approach.
Requiring QR
codes for these categories would create a direct, verifiable channel for consumers to obtain accurate product data. It would also help reduce packaging waste and improve recall accuracy in case of compliance issues.
In the near future, QR codes may become a routine part of everyday life in Indian households, much like they did in the payment's ecosystem. In sectors like pharmaceuticals, education, real estate, and metro ticketing, printed leaflets, brochures, and instruction manuals are being replaced with scannable codes linking to digital content.
Globally, countries like Japan, Singapore, and France are adopting similar measures to reduce reliance on paper. As QR technology becomes more integrated into products and services, it may help India move toward more efficient, resource-conscious practices.
Digitization of product information is not just a technical change. It alters how regulation is implemented and how citizens interact with consumer safety frameworks. Instead of relying on static labels, regulators and companies can communicate changes quickly. For users, information becomes available on demand, rather than being limited to what fits on a package.
India's digital evolution is not only about new platforms or technologies. It is also about the integration of those tools into basic processes. The introduction of QR codes into household insecticide regulation is one such integration. If expanded across other sectors, it can lead to a more transparent, responsive, and cost-effective system for both regulators and the public.
These may not look like sweeping reforms, but they are foundational and important. They suggest a method by which India can modernize its regulatory systems without imposing heavy costs or delays. Over time, as digital access continues to widen, these changes will shape how the country manages safety, compliance, and trust between producers and users. The opportunity lies in building on this direction—
from code to clarity
, one measure at a time.
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETRetail.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETRetail.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organization directly or indirectly.)
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