Exemption for Certain Industrial Plants under the Water and Air Pollution Acts

Introduction

In a major update, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has issued a notification exempting specific categories of industrial plants from certain provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. This move, under the SOP Industrial Pollution Exemption framework, aims at streamlining compliance processes for industries with low pollution potential, while ensuring continued regulatory oversight through a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

SOP for Industrial Pollution Exemption: Streamlined Compliance Process for Low-Pollution Industries

Under the notifications, white-category industries (those with minimal pollution impact) are no longer required to obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). Instead, these industries must submit a self-declaration to SPCBs/PCCs, outlining compliance with relevant environmental regulations. This approach eliminates consent fees and eases the administrative burden on both industries and regulatory bodies. SPCBs/PCCs will maintain updated records of these exempt industries, ensuring continued monitoring.

For projects requiring Environmental Clearance (EC) under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, the conditions of CTE will be integrated within the EC itself. The EC authority will coordinate with SPCBs/PCCs for site assessments, comments, and inclusion of any specific conditions required before granting clearance.

Conclusion

This exemption reflects the government’s adaptive approach to balancing regulatory requirements with industrial growth, especially for low-pollution sectors. By reducing procedural delays and promoting a self-regulation model for specific industries, these measures aim to streamline operations while ensuring environmental compliance. This policy change provides a boost to industries with minimal environmental impact, supporting a more efficient regulatory framework in India’s industrial landscape.

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