CPCB Mandates Use of NPL-Certified OCEMS in Delhi-NCR Industries
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a directive to the Member Secretaries of State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in Delhi-NCR, mandating the installation of only CSIR-NPL certified Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) in air polluting industries.
Kerala PCB Clarifies Distance Criteria for Furniture Units Based on CPCB Classification
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued a Circular clarifying the distance criteria that must be followed by units engaged in carpentry and wooden furniture manufacturing in the state. This clarification follows a review by the High Level Technical Committee. The clarification is based on the revised classification of industrial sectors issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Government Extends Deadline for Filing Used Oil EPR Returns to December 31, 2025
The Ministry Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted an extension for filing annual returns under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for Used Oil. The returns for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, which were originally due by September 30, 2025, now have an extended deadline of December 31, 2025.
Government Extends Deadline for EPR Plastic Annual Return Filing for PIBOs and PWPs
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has extended the timeline for filing the EPR Plastic Annual Return (AR) for the Financial Year 2024-25 until November 30, 2025, for all registered Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs).
CPCB Updates Recognition for 70+ Environmental Labs
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a comprehensive notification updating its official list of recognized Environmental Laboratories and designated Government Analysts under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The notification, dated October 7, 2025, reflects two major actions by the CPCB: the substitution (renewal/amendment) of entries for 41 existing laboratories and the insertion of 37 new laboratories into the recognized list.
CPCB Recognizes Gujarat Pollution Control Board’s Central Laboratory as Environmental Lab
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recognized a new Environmental Laboratory and designated several Government Analysts for environmental sample analysis. This recognition is granted under the powers of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The notification, dated October 7, 2025, adds a new entry to the CPCB’s list of recognized facilities, expanding the network responsible for crucial environmental monitoring.
Environment Ministry Updates ‘White Category’ List for Air and Water Pollution Control
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has substituted the schedule listing industrial plants and sectors classified under the “White Category.” The White Category encompasses industries that are exempted from needing prior Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) under certain provisions of the Water and Air Acts.
CAQM Activates Stage-II of GRAP in NCR as Delhi AQI Enters ‘Very Poor’ Category
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas has immediately invoked the 12-point action plan under Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR). This action was triggered after the air quality in Delhi crossed the threshold into the “Very Poor” category.
Environment Minister Urges 13 States to Adopt Water Act
The Environment Minister highlighted the necessity of adopting the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, by all States to ensure uniform enforcement and pollution control standards. He requested 13 States—Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh—to adopt the Act by their respective State legislatures during the forthcoming Winter Session. The Minister emphasized that this adoption is vital for enabling the applicability of uniform consent guidelines and the categorization of industries for effective pollution control.
Environment Ministry Notifies GHG Emission Intensity Targets for Key Industries
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has formally published the Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025. These rules establish binding emission reduction targets for specific entities in four key industrial sectors—Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-Alkali, and Pulp and Paper—as part of the compliance mechanism under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. The rules come into force immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette on October 8, 2025.
NPC Invites Empanelment of APCD Manufacturers
The National Productivity Council (NPC), on behalf of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), has initiated the process for the empanelment of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs). This initiative aims to ensure the availability of properly designed APCDs crucial for effective air pollution control.
CPCB Report Shows Decline in Polluted River Stretches Across India
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released its latest assessment of river water quality, based on data from 2022 and 2023, revealing a significant reduction in the total number of identified Polluted River Stretches (PRS) across the country. This improvement is attributed to concerted efforts by State Governments toward better infrastructure for sewage, industrial effluent, and waste management.