In a significant regulatory update, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KPCB) has issued a new classification for a specific industrial activity that was previously not listed in the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) standard industrial categorization.
This update comes through Circular No. KSPCB/258/2025-SEE-I dated 28/03/2025, and follows the recommendations approved in the Categorization Committee meeting held on July 23, 2025.
Background
In March 2025, KPCB implemented a revised industrial categorization system based on the CPCB’s guidelines. However, certain sectors not explicitly included in CPCB’s list required additional consideration at the state level. To address this, a categorization committee was formed to review such cases and provide appropriate classifications based on pollution potential.
New Industry Categorized
As per the committee’s review, units engaged in the blending of edible oils and oils extracted from spices have now been officially categorized under the ‘White’ category.
What This Means
The White category is reserved for industries with “negligible pollution potential”. Units falling under this category typically:
- Do not require Environmental Clearance (EC).
- Do not require Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Water and Air Acts in many cases.
- Are subject to minimal regulatory oversight.
- Need only to submit an intimation or undertaking, depending on the state’s requirements.
By categorizing edible oil blending units under the White category, KPCB is acknowledging that such operations, when conducted without chemical processing or effluent generation, do not pose significant environmental risks.
Why This Matters
This move is expected to benefit small and medium-scale units in the food processing and edible oil sector by reducing their compliance burden. These units often operate without complex machinery or effluent discharge systems, making them ideal candidates for a lower-risk category.
It is also aligned with the government’s broader vision of “Ease of Doing Business”, while still ensuring that environmental protection standards are met.