White Phosphorous Matches Prohibition Act, 1913

The White Phosphorus Matches Prohibition Act, 1913 bans the use of white (or yellow) phosphorus in match manufacturing — a substance historically linked to serious occupational disease ("phossy jaw") among match-factory workers. Section 2 defines "white phosphorus" simply as the substance commonly known by that name.

Section 4 makes it an offence to use white phosphorus in manufacturing matches, or to allow someone under one's control to do so, punishable by a fine which may extend to two hundred rupees. Section 5 lets Factory Inspectors (appointed under the Factories Act, 1934) take samples of manufacturing materials for testing at any time, with the manufacturer entitled to have the sample split and one part sealed and given to them; refusing to allow sampling is itself an offence, also punishable by a fine up to two hundred rupees.

Section 6 separately bans selling, offering for sale, or possessing for sale any matches made with white phosphorus. A violation lets a Magistrate of the first class order forfeiture of the matches, which are then destroyed or otherwise dealt with as the Magistrate directs.

This is one of the oldest laws in the corpus (1913), with a maximum fine of two hundred rupees that is clearly a relic of its era; anyone assessing current enforcement should check whether this penalty amount has since been updated, and confirm the Act's continued applicability given later factories and health legislation.