The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has formally adopted the revised industrial sector categorization issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through orders dated 12.02.2025 and 25.03.2025. These new directions replace all earlier classifications, including those from 2016 and 2020, and are effective immediately from August 1st 2025.
🔑 Key Highlights of the Order
🟨 1. Adoption of CPCB’s Revised Categories
- New categorization includes Red, Orange, Green, White, and newly added Blue category.
- This replaces all previous categorization lists maintained by HSPCB — including the one issued on 04.12.2020 and its amendments.
📌 2. Applicability Timeline
- Pending and future CTE/CTO applications must follow the new classification immediately.
- Existing industries must shift to the new classification within one year from CPCB’s directive or at the time of CTO renewal — whichever is earlier.
🏗️ 3. Siting Restrictions Enforced
- No new units allowed in non-conforming, restricted, or prohibited zones.
- Aligns with recent MoEF&CC siting guidelines (GSR 84(E) & 85(E) issued in Jan 2025).
🧾 4. Committee for Left-Over/New Sectors
- A HSPCB committee, headed by the Member Secretary, has been authorized to classify new or unlisted sectors, as per CPCB’s methodology.
- The final categorization list, including left-over sectors, is provided in Annexure-I of the order.
🧷 5. Not Linked to Financial Sanctions
- Classification of an industrial unit shall not be tied to sanction of loans or financial processes by banks or financial institutions.
🟢 What’s New with the “Blue” Category?
The Blue category (added in 2025 by CPCB) typically includes micro-scale or service-based operations with minimal pollution impact but requiring oversight — bridging the gap between Green and White.
With this order, HSPCB brings its consent management protocols in full alignment with the latest national environmental regulatory framework. This ensures uniform classification, improves ease of doing business, and reinforces pollution control enforcement through clearly defined siting and categorization criteria.