White Phosphorous Matches Prohibition Act, 1913

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THE WHITE PHOSPHORUS MATCHES PROHIBITION ACT, 1913 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
 
2. Definition 
 
3. Prohibition of importation 
 
4. Prohibition of use of white phosphorous in manufacture of matches  
 
5. Power of Inspector of Factories to take samples of material used in manufacture 
 
6. Prohibition of sale 
 
 
 

 
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THE WHITE PHOSPHORUS MATCHES PROHIBITION ACT, 1913 
 
1ACT No. V of 1913 
 
[7th Match, 1913] 
 
An Act to prohibit the importation, manufacture and sale of matches made with white 
phosphorus. 
 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to prohibit the importation, manufacture and sale of matches made 
with white phosphorus; It is hereby enacted as follows:— 
 
 1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the White 
Phosphorus Matches Prohibition Act, 1913. 
 
 2[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.] 
 
 (3) It shall come into force on the first day of July, 1913, with the exception of section 6, 
which shall come into force on the first day of July, 1914. 
 
 2. Definition. In th is Act “white phosphorus” means the substance commonly known as 
white or yellow phosphorus.  
 
 3. [Prohibition of importation by addition to section 18, Act VIII of 1878.] Rep. by the 
Repealing Act, 1938 (I of 1938), s. 2 and Schedule. 
 
 4. Prohibition of use of white phosphorous in manufacture of matches.—(1) No person 
shall use white phosphorus in the manufacture of matches. 
 
 (2) Any person who uses, or permits the use by any person under his control, of white 
phosphorus in the manufacture of matches, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two 
hundred rupees. 
 
 5. Power of Inspector of Factories to take samples of material used in manufacture.—(1) 
Every person who manufactures matches shall allow an Inspector of Factories appointed under the 
3[Factories Act, 1934] , at any time to take for analysis sufficient samples of any material in use or 
mixed for use, in such manufacture: 
 
 Provided that any such person may, at the time the sample is taken, and on providing the 
necessary appliances, require the Inspector to divide the sample so taken into two parts, and to mark, 
seal and deliver to him one part. 
 
 (2) Any person who refuses to permit any such Inspector of Factories as aforesaid to take a 
sample, in accordance with the provisions of sub -section (1), shall be punishable with fine which 
may extend to two hundred rupees. 
 
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1912, Pt. V, p. 220 ; for Report of Select Committee, see ibid., 1913, Pt. V, p. 35; and for 
Proceedings in Council, see, ibid., 1913, Pt. VI, pp. 16, 64 and 146. 
This Act has been declared to be in force in Baluchistan by the British Baluchistan Laws Regulation, 1913 (2 of 1913), s. 3. 
It has also been extended to the Leased Areas of Baluchistan, see the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G. G. O. 3 of 1950); and applied to the 
Federated Areas of Baluchistan, see Gazette of India, 1937, Pt. I. p. 1499. 
This Act has been amended to the extent of Islamabad Capital Territory, see ordinance No. 27 of 1981, s. 5 and 4th Sch. 
2Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955), for the original 
sub-section (2) as amended by A. O., 1949, Arts. 3 (2) and 4. 
3Subs. by Ord. XXVII of 1981, s. 5 and Sch. IV (only to the extent of Islamabad Capital Territory). 
 
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 6. Prohibition of sale.—(1) No person shall sell, or offer or expose for sale, or have in his 
possession for the purposes of sale, any matches made with white phosphorus. 
 
 (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) may, on complaint to a 1[* 
*], 2Magistrate of the first class, be ordered to forfeit any such matches in his possession, and any 
matches so forfeited shall be destroyed or otherwise dealt with as the Magistrate may direct. 
 
 
 
 
 
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Date: 11-09-2024 
1The words “Presidency Magistrate” omitted by A.O., 1949 Sch. 
2 Omitted by Ord. XXVIII of 1981, s. 5 , Sch. IV (only to the extent of Islamabad Capital Territory)