The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), in a major step towards easing industrial compliance and promoting transparency, has issued a notification exempting White Category industries from the need to obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO). This move aligns with the “Ease of Doing Business” initiative and reflects a simplified approach to regulating low-pollution industries.
Categorization Based on Pollution Index (PI)
Industries are categorized as Red, Orange, Green, or White, based on pollution potential, using CPCB’s Pollution Index, which accounts for:
- Water and air pollution
- Hazardous waste generation
- Fuel and water usage
White Category units, having negligible pollution potential, are now officially exempt from CTE and CTO—making their setup and operation faster and less bureaucratic.
Revised SOP-Based Authorization Under Rule 9 of HOWMR, 2016
In addition, GPCB has issued a revised methodology to handle applications under Rule 9 of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
Key highlights include:
Case-I: SOPs Not Requiring Expert Committee
- Applications handled directly by Regional Officers (ROs).
- Inspection and compliance verification based on CPCB’s SOPs.
- Final decisions taken by competent authorities without committee delays.
Case-II: SOPs Requiring Expert Committee Evaluation
- Applications include a detailed presentation and compliance report.
- Evaluated by the Committee of Experts post-inspection.
- Approvals issued upon committee recommendation.
Each granted application includes details of hazardous waste category, CPCB SOP references, and authorized quantities. A passbook system is maintained by the Hazardous Waste Branch for compliance tracking.
This dual announcement reflects GPCB’s commitment to balancing environmental oversight with efficient industrial governance, encouraging both compliance and growth in Gujarat’s industrial sector.
