A dispute between two government organisations has created uncertainty over the future of next-generation green firecrackers in India, with the matter now effectively resting with the Supreme Court.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) has endorsed newly developed firecracker formulations, stating that they reduce particulate emissions by around 40% to 60% compared to conventional fireworks.

These formulations were developed after the Central Government asked CSIR-NEERI to work with fireworks manufacturers to create lower-emission alternatives that could reduce pollution by more than 50%.

The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association (TANFAMA) subsequently developed formulations using reduced quantities of barium nitrate along with other oxidising agents.

CSIR-NEERI concluded that several categories of fireworks, including flowerpots, sparklers, chakkars, pencils, twinkling stars and even joined crackers (ladis), showed significant reductions in particulate emissions and solid waste generation, making them suitable for commercial production.

However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that any formulation containing barium nitrate violates the Supreme Court's 2018 order, which expressly prohibited the use of barium salts in firecrackers.

The CPCB also stated that the reported emission reductions were not adequately compared with existing low-emission crackers or barium-free green crackers, making the findings incomplete.

Faced with these conflicting opinions, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has informed the Supreme Court of the differing expert views without taking a definitive position.

The ministry also noted that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has already issued a no-objection certificate for the new formulations.

The Supreme Court is now expected to determine whether these new firecrackers can be commercially manufactured despite the continued use of a chemical previously prohibited by the court.