Exemption from Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act: A Step Towards Simplification

Introduction

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued the Air Act Exemption Notification, exempting specific industrial plants from certain provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. This exemption focuses on industries with minimal pollution footprints and those already compliant with environmental clearances. Let’s delve into the key details of this significant regulatory change.

Air Act Exemption Notification: Simplified Compliance for Low-Pollution Industries

The notification exempts two broad categories of industrial plants:

1. White Category Industries: Industrial units with a pollution index score of up to 20, such as fly ash brick manufacturing and solar power generation (below 25 MW).
2. Pre-Cleared Units: Plants with prior environmental clearance under the 2006 EIA notification.

These exemptions aim to reduce bureaucratic burdens on industries with negligible emissions while ensuring they notify their respective State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees.

Air Act Exemption Notification: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

To streamline implementation, the MoEFCC plans to issue SOPs, ensuring uniformity and clarity in the application of these exemptions.

Conclusion

This exemption is a win-win for industries and the environment. By focusing resources on high-pollution industries, the government enhances environmental oversight while promoting ease of doing business for low-impact sectors. Additionally, it reduces regulatory bottlenecks, encourages green practices, and fosters innovation in cleaner technologies. Such measures are steps towards sustainable industrial development, aligning with India’s environmental and economic goals, and supporting its commitment to global climate initiatives and carbon reduction targets.

Download: Air Act Exemption Notification: Low-Pollution Industries