In a major step towards promoting ease of doing business and reducing regulatory burden on non-polluting industries, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has officially classified 716 new industrial and activity sectors under the White Category, thereby exempting them from the requirement of obtaining Consent for Establishment (CTE) and Consent for Operation (CTO) under key environmental legislations.
Background and Rationale
The decision follows the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) comprehensive re-classification of 419 industrial sectors in early 2025 based on a Pollution Index (PI) methodology that gives equal weightage to water, air, and solid waste pollution.
As per CPCB’s 2025 guidelines:
- Red Category: 125 sectors
- Orange Category: 137 sectors
- Green Category: 94 sectors
- White Category: 54 sectors (originally)
- Blue Category: 9 sectors
The White Category includes non-polluting or minimal-polluting industries, which are exempt from obtaining prior consent under:
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
New Additions in Andhra Pradesh
Following CPCB’s directive to state boards to submit annual updates of additional White Category sectors, APPCB:
- Formed a Steering Committee involving external experts and senior board officials.
- Conducted thorough consultations with Zonal and Regional Officers.
- Used revised Pollution Index methodology to identify low or non-polluting sectors.
Outcome:
A list of 716 additional sectors has now been classified under the White Category, expanding the scope from the existing 54 notified by CPCB.
Key Highlights:
- Total White Category sectors in AP now stand at 770 (54 + 716).
- Industries under this list are exempt from pollution-related Consent processes.
- Aimed at boosting industrial development and simplifying compliance.
- Implemented as per provisions under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
Implementation and Compliance
All Zonal and Regional Offices of APPCB have been directed to:
- Enforce the exemption policy for the 716 new sectors.
- Report implementation compliance within one week.
Conclusion
This move is expected to significantly streamline regulatory processes, foster entrepreneurship, and support the establishment of clean industries in Andhra Pradesh. It aligns with national efforts to reduce bureaucratic delays and promote a more business-friendly environment.