An e-commerce website was recently ordered to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh for displaying listings of ammonium nitrate sellers, which has been declared an ‘explosive’ by the Central Government, without warnings or required licenses. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) held the website guilty of facilitating the sale of goods hazardous to life and property.

Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra were hearing the proceedings initiated by the CCPA against the e-commerce platform for listing ammonium nitrate sellers without due legal compliance, as the substance was regulated and restricted under law.

“Such concealment of essential regulatory information deprives a consumer of any means of ascertaining, at the pre-purchase stage, that a restricted and hazardous product is being offered on the platform and that the same cannot lawfully be sold, purchased or possessed without the requisite licence/certification,” the October 28 order read.

The CCPA also stated that an e-commerce…