Rule 3 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 3 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (the Central Rules) is the working procedure for registration under section 3 of the Code. The employer applies electronically in Form I on the Shram Suvidha Portal. The certificate in Form III is due within seven days of a complete application, or it is deemed granted. Changes must be updated within thirty days, and closure is intimated in Form II. To register or update an establishment, our shops and establishments registration team can help with the filing.
Apply electronically in Form I on the Shram Suvidha Portal (or a portal designated by the Central Government). The certificate in Form III must be issued within seven days of a complete application, failing which the establishment is deemed registered and the certificate is auto-generated. Already registered under another Central labour law? Update Form I within six months of the rules coming into force. Report changes within 30 days, and on closure send Form II within 30 days; cancellation follows in Form IV within 60 days, or is auto-generated.
Rule 3 at a glance
| Sub-rule | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Application | Employer applies electronically in Form I, with establishment particulars, registration documents, proof of identity and address, on Shram Suvidha Portal or designated portal |
| (2) | Certificate | Form III electronically forthwith, not later than seven days from a complete application; deemed registration and auto-generation if not |
| (3) | Late fee | For registration after sixty days from notification of the rules, as specified by general or special order of the Central Government |
| (4) | Certificate | Non-transferable; displayed at conspicuous places in the premises |
| (5) | Non-compliance | Registering Officer may order compliance within a specified time |
| (6) | Existing registrations | Employer already registered under another Central labour law updates Form I within six months of the rules coming into force |
| (7) | Registration number | Quote on all documents and correspondence |
| (8) | Changes | Update on the portal within thirty days; amended Form III within seven days or auto-generated |
| (9) | Register | Registering Officer maintains Form V |
| (10) | Closure | Form II within thirty days, with certificate of payment of dues and returns; auto-shared to EPFO and ESIC |
| (11) | Cancellation | Form IV electronically within sixty days of Form II; auto-generated if not |
Where the rule comes from
Section 3 of the Code requires an employer of an establishment, to which the Code applies and which comes into existence after commencement, to apply electronically to the registering officer within sixty days, with the deemed-registration and closure mechanics as in sub-sections (3) and (5) (see section 3). Rule 3 supplies the form, portal and timelines. It is one of the matters the Code leaves to rules in section 134(2)(c) to (f) and section 133(2)(c) and (d). The Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government; for State-sphere establishments, read the State's rules.
Rule 3(1) and (2): apply and receive the certificate
The employer applies electronically in Form I, "containing the particulars of the establishment, accompanied by documents relating to registration of the establishment, proof of identity and address on the Shram Suvidha Portal or Portal as may be designated by the Central Government". Form I is titled "Application for registration of establishment/Amendment to certificate of registration/ Updation of registration particulars of establishments already registered under any other Central Labour Laws".
Form I includes establishment details retrievable through the Labour Identification Number (LIN), name, location, PAN, total number of employees engaged directly, the number of contract employees and the number of inter-State migrant workers. It has type-specific tables: for factories (process, address, occupier and manager, maximum workers on any day), for mines, for dock work, for building or other construction work and for any other establishment. It also takes the NIC activity code, employer, manager or agent and contractor details.
If the application is complete, the certificate in Form III is issued electronically "forthwith, but in any case not later than seven days from the date of submission of complete application". The proviso: if the certificate is not issued within seven days, "the establishment shall be deemed to have been registered and the certificate of registration shall be auto-generated in FORM-III". Form III ticks the nature of work (factory, mining, dock work, contract work, building or other construction works, or any other work) and repeats the type-specific tables.
Rule 3(3) to (5): late fee, display and compliance orders
- Late fee (3). The late fee for registration "after expiry of sixty days from the date of notification of these rules" is to be specified by general or special order of the Central Government from time to time. This article gives no amount because the rule gives none.
- Certificate (4). It is non-transferable and must be displayed at conspicuous places within the premises.
- Order to comply (5). If an employer fails to comply with sub-rule (1), the Registering Officer may, by order, direct compliance within the time specified in the order.
Rule 3(6): already registered under another Central labour law
An employer already registered under any other Central labour law must, within six months from the date on which the rules come into force, update the registration particulars in Form I. This ties in with section 3(8) of the Code, which treats such an establishment as deemed registered under the Code, on condition that the registration holder gives details to the registering officer. The proviso attached to sub-rule (6) speaks of cancellation and says no cancellation shall be made unless the establishment has been given an opportunity to show cause, within thirty days, electronically or by speed post, why the certificate should not be cancelled. Read the proviso as it is printed, since the sub-rule itself speaks only of updating.
Rule 3(7) to (9): number, changes and register
- Quote the registration number (7) on all documents prepared or completed by the employer in connection with the rules or schemes made under them, and in all correspondence with the office concerned.
- Changes (8). Any change in the particulars furnished in Form I must be updated on the portal within thirty days of the change. If complete, the amended certificate in Form III must be issued electronically not later than seven days from submission, failing which it is auto-generated. This matches section 3(4) of the Code, which covers a change in ownership, management or particulars.
- Register (9). The Registering Officer maintains Form V showing the establishments for which certificates have been issued.
Rule 3(10) and (11): closure
Within thirty days of the closing of an establishment other than mines, the employer must intimate the Registering Officer and the Inspector-cum-Facilitator having jurisdiction, in Form II, the actual date of closing, along with a certificate of payment of all dues and statutory returns to the workers. The information is auto-shared to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation and the Employees' State Insurance Corporation. Form II carries the employer's certificates that all dues to workers have been paid and that the establishment is kept clear of storage of hazardous chemicals and substances.
On receipt of a complete Form II, the registering officer must cancel the certificate and issue cancellation in Form IV electronically within sixty days. If not, "the cancellation of registration certificate shall be auto generated in FORM-IV". Mines have a separate notice regime in rule 4 (see rule 4).
A practical checklist
- Find out whether you are registered under any old Central law, and update within six months.
- Collect identity and address proof, registration documents, LIN and worker counts before filing Form I.
- Note the submission date; the seven-day clock runs from a complete application.
- Display Form III; do not transfer it on a sale, merger or change of business.
- Diarise thirty days for any change and thirty days after closure.
- Clear wages, dues and returns before sending Form II.
Example. A contractor with thirty workers changes its registered address. On day 20 it updates the address in Form I on the portal. A complete application should bring an amended Form III within seven days, failing which it is auto-generated.
Need help with registration?
If you are registering a new establishment, updating an old registration or closing one, our shops and establishments registration team can prepare the Form I data, track the seven-day and sixty-day clocks and keep your Form III on file.
Key takeaways
- Apply electronically in Form I on the Shram Suvidha Portal; the certificate in Form III is due within seven days or is deemed granted.
- Existing registrants under other Central laws update Form I within six months of the rules coming into force.
- Report changes within 30 days; on closure send Form II within 30 days with a dues certificate, and cancellation follows in Form IV within 60 days.
- The late fee is fixed by order; the rule gives no figure.
- These Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government.
Read next
- Section 3: registration of certain establishments
- Rules 1-2: short title, commencement and definitions
- Rule 4: notice of commencement and cessation of operation
- Shram Suvidha Portal: contract labour registration online
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.