<span style="color: #222222;">The government has provided relaxations under Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 to fast track approvals for imported cylinders and pressure vessels for storage and transportation of medical oxygen.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Ministry of Commerce and Industry in a statement said that the  Government has reviewed the existing procedure for approval of global manufacturers for importing oxygen cylinders by Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO).</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It said, in view of the COVID pandemic, PESO will not carry out physical inspection of global manufacturers' production facilities before grant of such approval.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Now, such approvals will be granted online without any delay on submission of manufacturer's particulars.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Ministry said, the filling permission for these cylinders will be issued based on the following relaxation in the rules.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Same procedure will also apply for import of further such equipment in case the online approvals have not been taken.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Ministry said, as such, Certification of PESO will not be mandatory pre-shipment, however, it's certification will be required before use of the oxygen cylinders which entails weight and hydro testing.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Indian Missions should however ensure that the oxygen cylinders should comply with India or International standards before shipment.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In case of filled cylinders, the agency exporting to India shall certify that the oxygen filled in the cylinder is of such purity and concentration that is fit for medical use.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The certification shall be attested by the Indian Mission in the exporting country.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It said, soon upon receipt in India, such filled cylinders will be inspected on sample basis by an empanelled agency of PESO and certified as fit for medical use.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Ministry also said Presdure Swing Absorption- PSA plants where generated oxygen is directly supplied to hospital and no filling of cylinder is taking place, they do not need any permission or license under rules administered by PESO and can be allowed.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">These relaxations will be valid for a period of six months or till further orders of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.</span><br />''