The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued a a notice on the clarification issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) regarding the requirement for Environmental Clearance (EC) under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006. This clarification applies specifically to plywood units that manufacture their own glue (formaldehyde resins) for internal use.
Previously, there was confusion regarding the need for EC for plywood units with in-house glue production. The MoEF&CC’s clarification aims to address this ambiguity.
Key Points
Manufacturing of Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde Resins Requires EC As per the EIA Notification 2006, these specific glue manufacturing processes fall under a category requiring EC. The level at which EC is obtained depends on the location of the unit:
- State Level (SEIAA): If the unit is located within an industrial area.
- Central Level (MoEF&CC): If the unit is located outside an industrial area.
Plywood Units with In-House Glue Manufacturing Need EC Plywood units that produce their own Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resins are subject to the EIA Notification and require prior EC.
Purchasing Ready-Made Glue Exempts EC Requirement Plywood units that purchase ready-made Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resins from external suppliers are exempt from obtaining EC under the EIA Notification.
The MoEF&CC has directed SPCBs to conduct site inspections of plywood units to verify their manufacturing activities. Based on these inspections, SPCBs will determine whether the unit requires prior EC as per the EIA Notification provisions.
The MoEF&CC has instructed its Regional Offices to submit action taken reports related to this clarification within a month.
