In early 2025, a mid-sized manufacturing plant in Pune had finished its new storage yard — double-walled diesel tanks, calibrated nozzles, and brand-new fire hydrants.
The production team was ready, dispatch was booked, and the client was waiting.
But there was one small problem — the PESO licence hadn’t been renewed.
The file had been marked “under clarification” for over a month.
While the tanks stood idle, salaries, rent, and deadlines kept moving.
When our team at Green Permits stepped in, we mapped their documents to the right form under the Petroleum Rules, uploaded the missing drawings through NSWS, and ensured the licence was issued within days.
The plant switched on, and so did the business.
That’s how powerful (and sometimes invisible) a PESO license can be — one document standing between full operations and a silent facility.
What exactly is a PESO License?
The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is India’s central authority that governs the manufacture, storage, transportation, and handling of flammable and explosive substances.
In simpler terms — PESO ensures that anything that can ignite, explode, or burn is handled safely and legally.
The key laws it enforces:
- Petroleum Act, 1934 and Petroleum Rules, 2002 — for fuels, oil, diesel, kerosene, and related products.
- Explosives Act, 1884 and Explosives Rules, 2008 — for explosives, detonators, fireworks, and storage depots.
- Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016 — for filling, testing, and storing compressed gas cylinders.
- SMPV (Unfired Pressure Vessels) Rules, 2016 — for LPG bottling and other pressurized storage systems.
Every refinery, petrol pump, chemical warehouse, LPG bottler, or manufacturing plant that handles hazardous materials needs an authorization under one or more of these Acts.
PESO operates through five regional offices — Nagpur (HQ), Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Faridabad — supported by Circle and Sub-circle offices that handle state-level verifications and renewals.
Why is the PESO license critical for your business?
Let’s be honest — compliance is rarely exciting.
But PESO isn’t just a compliance checkbox; it’s the backbone of your operational safety and credibility.
Here’s what happens with and without it:
| With a Valid PESO Licence | Without a Valid PESO Licence |
|---|---|
| Smooth commissioning & insurance coverage | Project delays and insurance rejection |
| Legal protection during audits | Penalties under Petroleum/Explosives Acts |
| Green flag for expansion and imports | Site closures and production stoppage |
| Confidence for clients and partners | Risk to business reputation |
The PESO licence represents trust — trust that your facility won’t endanger people, property, or the environment.
And that trust translates directly into smoother business operations.
The many faces of PESO Licenses
There’s no single “PESO Licence.” Depending on your activity, you’ll fall under different categories:
| Activity | Governing Rules | Licence / Form | Validity / Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol Pump Operation | Petroleum Rules, 2002 | Form XIV | Renewable every 10 years, if no violation |
| Industrial Petroleum Storage (diesel, naphtha, etc.) | Petroleum Rules, 2002 | Form XV / others | Typically 5 years, renewal via PESO Portal |
| Explosives Manufacturing or Storage | Explosives Rules, 2008 | LE-1 / LE-3 / LE-5 | Up to 5 financial years, renewed via Form RE-1 |
| Gas Cylinder Filling or Testing Plant | Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016 | GCR Series Forms | 5 years, renewable |
| LPG Bottling / Pressure Vessels | SMPV (Unfired Pressure Vessels) Rules, 2016 | SMPV Series Forms | 5 years, renewal via NSWS Portal |
Each licence type comes with its own inspection, fee, and document checklist.
Missing one certificate (for example, a vessel test or NOC) can stall your approval for months.
What documents you need — and why they matter
To renew or apply for a PESO licence, your file must tell the full story of your plant’s safety and ownership.
Common Documents Required
- Approved layout plan showing safety distances
- Hazardous area classification drawing
- Valid CTE and CTO from State Pollution Control Board
- Ownership/lease proof for the site
- Fabricator’s approval certificate for tanks or pressure vessels
- Fire-fighting and safety equipment layout
- Last inspection report (for renewals)
- Online application printout and payment proof
These documents aren’t just paperwork — they are PESO’s assurance that your site is safe for people and compliant with law.
The Renewal Process (2025 and beyond)
Since 2024, PESO has integrated with the National Single Window System (NSWS) for all new and renewal applications.
This digital reform replaced the old manual process with a paperless renewal system.
Step-by-Step Renewal Flow
- Start at NSWS: Log in and select “Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation.”
- Choose the right form: Depending on your licence (Form XIV, RE-1, SMPV), select the renewal option.
- Upload documents: Attach all updated safety and compliance certificates.
- Pay the renewal fee online: Payments are processed through the portal.
- Track status: Check real-time progress under your NSWS or PESO dashboard.
- Receive digital certificate: Once approved, download the digitally signed PESO licence — no physical copy needed.
💡 Pro Tip: Begin the renewal process 60–90 days before expiry to avoid any lapse in validity.
PESO treats each application as fresh scrutiny, so even renewals require a complete documentation set.
Penalties, risks, and real consequences
Under the Petroleum Act (1934) and Explosives Act (1884), conducting operations without a valid licence can invite:
- Suspension or cancellation of licence
- Monetary fines and legal prosecution
- Blacklisting from future PESO approvals
- Immediate shutdowns by the district controller
For businesses, that means halted dispatches, idle manpower, and loss of credibility with clients and insurers.
In short: a delayed renewal can cost far more than the licence fee itself.
Real examples from the field
At Green Permits, we’ve worked with dozens of Indian manufacturers and importers facing tight timelines.
Here are two cases that stand out:
1. The idle tank farm
A chemical company’s 60 KL diesel tanks were fully fabricated but idle for months.
Reason: The vendor wasn’t on PESO’s approved fabricator list under PR-2002.
We helped them replace the certification, update the layout, and submit a new Form XV.
Within 20 working days, PESO issued the licence — and fuel started flowing again.
2. The forgotten renewal
An explosives storage warehouse in Gujarat lost 45 working days because the renewal form wasn’t filed correctly.
Once we re-submitted Form RE-1 with the original licence and a corrected fee under Rule 112, approval was granted within a week.
The warehouse was back online — safely and legally.
These stories underline one thing:
PESO isn’t complex if you understand it — but it’s unforgiving if you ignore it.
The bottom line — compliance is business continuity
In today’s compliance-driven world, a PESO licence isn’t just about avoiding penalties — it’s about protecting your investment, workforce, and reputation.
When your tanks, cylinders, or plants are PESO-approved, clients trust you, insurers cover you, and authorities respect your commitment to safety.
At Green Permits, we simplify the process — from document collection to NSWS submissions, renewals, and site readiness.
Our goal is simple: make environmental and industrial compliance a growth enabler, not a hurdle.
📞 Contact Green Permits Consulting
Phone: +91 78350 06182
Email: wecare@greenpermits.in
Website: www.greenpermits.in
Book a Free Consultation – Get your PESO licence, renewal, or amendment done without delays.
Book a Technical Call with Expert
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Any facility storing petroleum, LPG, or other flammable products beyond government threshold limits must obtain PESO authorization.
Go through NSWS → PESO Portal, select your licence form, upload the required documents, pay online, and track your status digitally.
Form XIV licences are valid for 10 years and can be renewed if no violations have occurred.
As per Rule 112 of the Explosives Rules, 2008, it can be renewed for up to 5 financial years using Form RE-1.
Yes. PESO replaced the “self-online renewal” with a completely paperless renewal across India.
No, licences are issued to a specific entity and site. A change in ownership or location requires a new application.
