Factory License and Registration under the OSH Code

The Factories Act, 1948 has been subsumed in the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, which came into force on 21 November 2025. The Central rules under all four Labour Codes were notified on 8 May 2026, and the States have been notifying their own rules since. If your factory licence, registers and safety systems were set up under the old Act, they need a fresh look.

Under the OSH Code, premises running a manufacturing process with 20 or more workers using power, or 40 or more workers without power, count as a factory. The old thresholds were 10 and 20, so some smaller units have dropped out while others still qualify. We work out where you stand before you apply for anything.

Most States want the factory building plans approved before construction or extension. After that come the stability certificate from a competent person, the process flow chart and machinery list with power load, details of the occupier and manager, and the pollution consent and Fire NOC where they apply. We assemble the file, apply to the State directorate and manage the inspection.

A licence brings ongoing duties. Safety committees, welfare amenities, health check-ups, working hour limits, registers, returns and notices on display. The OSH Code also brings web-based inspections and higher penalties, with compounding allowed for some offences. We run a transition check against the Code, set up the registers and handle inspection reports and notices.

Questions clients usually ask

Is the Factories Act still in force?

It has been subsumed in the OSH Code, 2020, in force from 21 November 2025. Licensing and compliance now follow the Code and the rules under it.

What is the worker threshold for a factory now?

20 or more workers where power is used, and 40 or more where it is not.

Do we need plan approval before building?

In most States yes, from the factories department, before constructing or extending the factory building.

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Factory License and Registration under the OSH Code

The Law Has Changed

Is Your Unit a Factory

Plan Approval to Licence

Running Compliance

Questions clients usually ask

Is the Factories Act still in force?

What is the worker threshold for a factory now?

Do we need plan approval before building?

Ready to get answers from a qualified compliance expert?

For Consultation

Call: +91 76964-26220