Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified amendments to the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, seeking to streamline compliance for battery producers. The amendments known as the Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025 was published on February 24, 2025.
Classification of Industries Based On Pollution Potential
This revised classification will be used for various purposes, including consent management, inspection frequency, siting criteria, cluster development, pollution control plans, environmental compensation, and promoting progressive environmental management.
Kerala Pollution Board Updates Industry Categorization for Consent Applications
The update adds 309 new industries to the categorization list, including Gamma Sterilization Units (White category) and Automobile workshops with limited horsepower (Green category, with specific pollution control requirements). Based on industry feedback and a pollution monitoring study, the PCB has reclassified gate and grill manufacturing units.
Punjab Issues Clarification on Environmental Clearance for In-House Glue Manufacturing in Plywood Units
Plywood units that produce their own Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resins are subject to the EIA Notification and require prior EC. Plywood units that purchase ready-made Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resins from external suppliers are exempt from obtaining EC under the EIA Notification.
India Strengthens Environmental and Industrial Safety Regulations
A significant step towards enhanced monitoring is the mandatory installation of Online Continuous Effluent/Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for 17 categories of high pollution potential industries and common waste treatment facilities. This system allows for real-time, 24/7 monitoring of pollutant levels. Data is transmitted online to the CPCB and relevant SPCBs/PCCs. Critically, the system is designed to automatically generate SMS alerts to the industrial unit, SPCB, and CPCB if pollutant levels exceed prescribed norms, enabling swift corrective action and regulatory intervention.
New Rules for Selection and Tenure of State Pollution Control Board Chairpersons
The Chairperson must possess special knowledge or practical experience in environmental protection or administration. The Chairperson will hold office for a maximum of three years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. Removal from office can occur under specific circumstances, such as misconduct, incapacity, or financial interest conflicts.
New Rules for Water Pollution Cases
The rules provide that complaints can be filed electronically, by speed post, or in person. Adjudicating officers are required to initiate inquiries within 30 days of receiving a complaint. The entire inquiry process, including evidence gathering and decision-making, must be completed within six months.
Draft Environmental Standards Proposed For Aluminium Plants
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a draft notification proposing amendments to Schedule I of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. These amendments focus on stricter emission limits for Particulate Matter (PM), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Total Fluoride (F) for various processes within aluminum production facilities.
Government Takes Action to Curb Stubble Burning
A high-level inter-ministerial meeting was convened to address the pressing issue of crop residue burning, particularly paddy stubble burning, which significantly contributes to air pollution, especially in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR. State governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR presented their strategies to mitigate stubble burning. These include providing financial incentives to farmers for adopting alternative crop residue management practices, such as in-situ management and conversion into value-added products.
CPCB Introduces Provisional Certification for PM2.5 Samplers
This certification will be granted based on the performance of these samplers in tests conducted for specific parameters. The pass/fail criteria for these parameters will be determined based on the CPCB guideline no. 102946/2023/AQMN-HO.
