The parliament Monday passed the "Formalin Control Bill, 2015" with a provision of life-term imprisonment as the maximum punishment, and an additional Tk20 lakh fine, but no less than Tk5lakh, for importing, producing, or hoarding formalin without license, state-run news agency BSS reported. The ‘Formalin Control Act-2015’ was passed through Parliament by voice votes Monday providing for life in prison for import, production and storage of the preservative without license. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said once enacted, the law will help bring the use and business of formalin under a legal framework. The law proposes maximum life sentence with Tk 2 million in fine for offenders, according to a news agency. Formalin is used in laboratories, hospitals, tanneries, textiles and hatcheries. But it is being widely used in perishable food stuff to make them appear fresh with harmful effects on the human body.