India Strengthens Environmental and Industrial Safety Regulations
A significant step towards enhanced monitoring is the mandatory installation of Online Continuous Effluent/Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for 17 categories of high pollution potential industries and common waste treatment facilities. This system allows for real-time, 24/7 monitoring of pollutant levels. Data is transmitted online to the CPCB and relevant SPCBs/PCCs. Critically, the system is designed to automatically generate SMS alerts to the industrial unit, SPCB, and CPCB if pollutant levels exceed prescribed norms, enabling swift corrective action and regulatory intervention.
New Rules for Selection and Tenure of State Pollution Control Board Chairpersons
The Chairperson must possess special knowledge or practical experience in environmental protection or administration. The Chairperson will hold office for a maximum of three years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. Removal from office can occur under specific circumstances, such as misconduct, incapacity, or financial interest conflicts.
New Rules for Water Pollution Cases
The rules provide that complaints can be filed electronically, by speed post, or in person. Adjudicating officers are required to initiate inquiries within 30 days of receiving a complaint. The entire inquiry process, including evidence gathering and decision-making, must be completed within six months.
Draft Environmental Standards Proposed For Aluminium Plants
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a draft notification proposing amendments to Schedule I of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. These amendments focus on stricter emission limits for Particulate Matter (PM), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Total Fluoride (F) for various processes within aluminum production facilities.
Government Takes Action to Curb Stubble Burning
A high-level inter-ministerial meeting was convened to address the pressing issue of crop residue burning, particularly paddy stubble burning, which significantly contributes to air pollution, especially in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR. State governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR presented their strategies to mitigate stubble burning. These include providing financial incentives to farmers for adopting alternative crop residue management practices, such as in-situ management and conversion into value-added products.
CPCB Introduces Provisional Certification for PM2.5 Samplers
This certification will be granted based on the performance of these samplers in tests conducted for specific parameters. The pass/fail criteria for these parameters will be determined based on the CPCB guideline no. 102946/2023/AQMN-HO.
CPCB Warns Against Plastic Rule Violations in Tender Documents
The CPCB has urged State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to ensure compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules in tender documents issued by government bodies under their jurisdiction. The CPCB has requested SPCBs to conduct regular checks to ensure certified compostable plastic manufacturers comply with the conditions of their certificates. These conditions include mandatory labeling of products with “COMPOSTABLE IS/ISO 17088 Certified” and a QR code linking to manufacturer details and certificate information.
Guidelines for Financial Support for Recycling Waste In Coastal Areas
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has announced Guidelines for One-Time Financial Support for Establishing Recycling Plants & Machinery for Abandoned, Lost & Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFGs) and High Littering Plastic Wastes in Coastal Areas”. These guidelines seek to facilitate and enhance control of pollution in coastal areas.
Environmental Compensation Guidelines for E-Waste Management Introduced
EC guidelines will be applicable to entities involved in manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, refurbishing, dismantling, recycling and processing of e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) listed in Schedule I, including their components, consumables, parts and spares which make the product operational.
CPCB Introduces Environmental Compensation Guidelines for Battery Waste Management
These Guidelines will be applicable to producers, recyclers, refurbishers and entities involved in collection, segregation and treatment of Waste Battery. The EC guidelines outline the procedures for calculating and imposing environmental compensation on entities that fail to comply with the Battery Waste Management Rules.
