The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is the Government of India's statutory safety authority responsible for regulating activities involving hazardous substances such as petroleum, explosives, compressed gases and pressure vessels. Its regulatory framework covers the manufacturing, storage, transportation, handling, import, export and use of these materials — but it does not apply the same rule, form, or process to every business it touches.
Because PESO requirements differ according to the substance, equipment, facility and activity involved, businesses should identify the category-specific PESO approval or licence applicable to their operations before starting a regulated activity. This directory breaks PESO's framework into its practical categories — petroleum, explosives, gas cylinders, pressure vessels, CNG/CBG, LNG and cryogenic gas, and fireworks — so you can go straight to the guidance relevant to your business rather than working through a generic checklist.
No. PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) administers several distinct Acts and Rules — including the Petroleum Rules, 2002, Explosives Rules, 2008, Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016, and the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016 — each with its own licence forms and conditions. The applicable requirement depends on the substance, quantity, equipment, facility design, and specific activity your business carries out, not on a single universal "PESO certificate."
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Why Category-Specific PESO Guides Matter
PESO compliance is not a single licence applicable to every business. Different activities fall under different rules and approval mechanisms, and treating them as interchangeable is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes businesses make when starting a PESO project. For a broader introduction to PESO's structure, see our complete PESO License & Approval guide.
The PESO framework includes areas governed by the Petroleum Rules, Explosives Rules, Gas Cylinders Rules, and Static & Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, among others. A category-specific approach helps businesses understand:
Identifying the correct category avoids wasted effort on the wrong application form or rule.
Each category traces back to a specific Act and Rule with its own conditions and thresholds.
Safety distances, design standards, and equipment specifications vary meaningfully by category.
Site plans, technical drawings, and certificates differ depending on the licence category.
Some categories require site inspection or equipment testing before approval; others do not.
Renewal cycles, returns, and maintenance conditions vary by the specific licence granted.
Explore PESO Guides by Category
Each category below links to dedicated guidance covering the applicable rules, licence types, documentation, and process for that specific activity. Guides marked "In Progress" are being published as part of Rego Services' expanding PESO compliance library — in the meantime, our complete PESO guide covers the fundamentals for every category.
For businesses involved in the storage, handling, transportation or distribution of petroleum products. Requirements vary according to the class and quantity of petroleum being stored — some smaller quantities may fall under exemptions or lighter permission requirements set out in PESO's official FAQs.
Petroleum Rules, 2002Covers manufacture, possession, storage, transportation, import, export and use of explosives. PESO administers approvals and licences for explosives manufacturing units, storage facilities, and transportation activities under this category.
Explosives Rules, 2008Covers the design, manufacture and testing of gas cylinders and fittings, as well as filling, storage and transportation of compressed gases. Relevant to manufacturers, gas filling facilities, and testing stations.
Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016The Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016 apply to pressure vessels and the storage and transportation of compressed gases. Covers design, manufacture and testing of pressure vessels and fittings.
SMPV(U) Rules, 2016CNG and CBG dispensing stations combine fuel storage with compressed-gas equipment, and often require coordinated approvals spanning the Petroleum Rules, Gas Cylinders Rules and SMPV(U) Rules depending on the station's design.
Petroleum · GCR · SMPV(U)LNG and other cryogenic gases require specialised storage and handling systems. Businesses in this category should assess applicable pressure-vessel and gas-cylinder requirements before commercial operation.
SMPV(U) · GCRCovers fireworks manufacturing, storage and related authorisation procedures. Businesses in this category need to understand applicable explosives regulations, safety requirements and PESO's fireworks-specific safety oversight.
Explosives Rules, 2008Looking for the Full Picture First?
If you're new to PESO compliance, start with our PESO License in India: The Complete Guide — it covers what PESO regulates, the applicable Acts and Rules, the general application process, fees, and renewal, before you drill into a specific category.
Which PESO Guide Does Your Business Need?
The correct PESO compliance route depends primarily on what your business handles and what activity you perform. The table below is a starting point — always confirm the applicable rule against your specific product, quantity, and installation.
| Business Activity | Relevant PESO Area |
|---|---|
| Petroleum storage | Petroleum Rules, 2002 |
| Explosives manufacturing / storage | Explosives Rules, 2008 |
| Gas cylinder manufacturing | Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 |
| Gas filling operations | Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 |
| Pressure vessel installation | SMPV(U) Rules, 2016 |
| CNG / CBG facilities | Petroleum Rules, GCR & SMPV(U) Rules |
| LNG / cryogenic gas operations | Gas Cylinder / Pressure Vessel requirements |
| Fireworks | Explosives Rules, 2008 |
This table is a high-level guide only. The exact approval, licence, form and technical requirement must be determined from the specific product, installation, quantity, capacity and activity involved — which is precisely what each category-specific guide above is designed to walk through.
Not sure which category applies to your business?
Talk to a Compliance ProfessionalHow to Start Your PESO Compliance Process
A practical approach is to begin with category identification rather than immediately filing an application.
Determine whether your operation involves petroleum, explosives, compressed gases, gas cylinders, pressure vessels, or another substance regulated by PESO.
Once the category is established, identify the relevant regulatory framework — the Petroleum Rules, Explosives Rules, Gas Cylinders Rules, or SMPV(U) Rules. PESO publishes procedures, FAQs, forms and guidance for each area on its official portal.
The applicable approval can depend on factors such as storage capacity, substance classification, equipment type, facility design and intended activity.
Depending on the category, the application may require technical drawings, specifications, site-related documents, equipment information and other supporting documentation.
After documentation and application preparation, the application can be submitted through the applicable PESO process. Certain categories may also involve inspection, testing or verification before approval.
Why Businesses Should Use Category-Specific PESO Guidance
PESO compliance involves multiple regulatory categories, and selecting the wrong compliance route can lead to documentation gaps, application queries, or delays. Using category-specific PESO guides allows businesses to focus on the requirements that actually apply to their operations, instead of relying on a generic PESO checklist that may not reflect the substance, quantity, or installation type at hand.
PESO itself provides dedicated procedures, FAQs, forms, fee information and category-specific guidance through its official portal. Category-specific guidance from Rego Services is designed to sit alongside that official material — translating it into a practical starting point for your specific activity, while always pointing back to the authoritative source for the current legal text.
Get Professional Assistance for PESO Compliance
If you are unsure which PESO licence, approval or authorisation applies to your business, professional compliance assistance can help you identify the applicable category, understand the regulatory requirements, prepare documentation, and navigate the application process. At Rego Services, businesses can seek assistance in understanding their PESO compliance requirements based on their specific product, facility and activity.
- Category Identification — We help pinpoint which PESO Rule and licence category applies to your specific product and activity.
- Requirement Assessment — We assess your facility, quantities, and equipment against the applicable technical and safety requirements.
- Documentation Support — We assist with preparing company, site, and technical documentation for the identified category.
- Application & Submission Assistance — We help prepare and submit the application through the applicable PESO process.
- Query & Inspection Coordination — We support responses to departmental queries and preparation for applicable inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PESO?
PESO stands for Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. It is a statutory organisation under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) responsible for safety regulation concerning petroleum, explosives, compressed gases and related hazardous substances.
Is there one PESO licence for every business?
No. PESO requirements depend on the substance, equipment, facility and regulated activity involved — there is no single blanket licence covering every category.
Which activities commonly require PESO compliance?
PESO regulates areas including petroleum, explosives, compressed gases, gas cylinders, pressure vessels, CNG, CBG, LNG and related hazardous-substance activities.
Where can I find official PESO guidance?
Businesses can refer to the official PESO website for procedures, FAQs, forms, fee information, circulars and other regulatory information.
Can the applicable PESO requirement differ from one facility to another?
Yes. The applicable requirements can vary according to the material, quantity, equipment, installation and specific activity, even within the same broad category.
✓ Key Takeaways
- PESO compliance spans seven practical categories: petroleum, explosives, gas cylinders, pressure vessels (SMPV(U)), CNG/CBG, LNG/cryogenic gas, and fireworks
- Each category is governed by a different Act or Rule, with its own licence forms, thresholds, and documentation
- There is no single generic PESO checklist — the right starting point is identifying your product and activity first
- Applicability depends on substance, quantity, equipment, facility design, and activity — not simply on handling a regulated material
- Always verify current requirements against the official PESO portal and applicable legislation, rules, notifications and circulars
Conclusion
Understanding PESO compliance starts with identifying the right regulatory category. Whether your business deals with petroleum storage, explosives, gas cylinders, pressure vessels, CNG, CBG, LNG or fireworks, the applicable requirements can differ significantly. Instead of following a generic checklist, use the category-specific guides above — alongside the complete PESO License & Approval guide — to understand the relevant rules, approvals, documentation and compliance process for your business.
Discuss your specific PESO requirement with Rego Services to identify the applicable category and plan a compliant path forward.
Rego Services Compliance Team
August 2026