Environmental Compliance & its Implication on Businesses in India
The country of India is considered one of the most rapidly developing economic systems in the world. However, in the development of its script, there have been specific areas of ink that are worth paying attention to. While the Indian production sector has been given the necessary support time and once again and the National Manufacturing Policy is trying its best to accomplish its goal of boosting the manufacturing sector’s increase in contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 25%, the Indian government is also giving more efforts to promote the simple nature of doing business in India.
Projects like Make in India, E-Biz Project, Skill Development programs, and other reforms in several sectors are a few such examples of the government making attempts to push changes. However, because of this “economic growth”, India is gradually falling behind in the sector of protecting the environment.
For an organization to be fully operational and work smoothly, it is fundamental that it operates in full compliance with all laws and regulations. Beginning with the incorporation of the company, regular operations, workforce, and hiring methods, taking safety precautions and, last but not least, complying with environmental laws must be deliberately followed.
Environmental Integrated Permitting
In the nation of India, there’s a centralized permitting system where a one-time authorization is sufficient for a lot of approvals and permissions.
Modern technology has rendered the method simple. For example, the recently implemented Electronic Waste Rules, 2016, have implemented only one centralized and pan-India application form by the Central Air Pollution Control Board rather than the State Board in order to get permission for the manufacturers.
How Much Time Does A License Validate For?
In most cases, the agency known as the State Pollution Control Board has the power to decide the time frame for approval and permit processing. Over the last ten years, a lot has been done to improve the reliability of every sector.
If a new authorization is needed, a request usually gets approved 60 to 120 days prior to the date of the termination of the “permission to operate.” If there has been a single failure to comply, the State Board can also reject the extension or only approve it in case the non-compliance has been corrected.
The most recent legislation includes an exception for permits that are longer. For example, the Electronic Waste Rules or Risky and Other Waste Rules, 2016 provide a validity of up to 5 years. Again, it is completely depending on what sector you’re involved with.
Limitations On The Permit’s Transfer
If you are attempting to transform an operation or sell your business to someone else or even take on a business, this data might be advantageous for you to have. A majority of permission orders, licenses, and clearances for the environment can be easily transferred if they are granted via the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
It’s needless to say that businesses, whether big or small, share the same responsibility to protect and maintain the environment. In this case, their liability increases perhaps a little more because their actions are of greater magnitude and have far-reaching consequences. This is the reason why they are more than expected to make certain that these regulations are respected.
However, there is no arguing with the fact that these laws and requirements can be difficult and tedious and it could prove impossible for everyone to keep updated on them.
Most companies have already realized the importance of environmental compliance and are way ahead of the curve. It is important that initiatives are recognized and appreciated and that our law and policy establish regulations to achieve these green goals without creating unnecessary obstacles in achieving sustainable growth.
The environmental regulations in India are established, implemented, and strictly enforced by 3 main entities: the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Weather Change the Central Pollution Control Authority at the nationwide level as well as the local Pollution Control Boards at the level of the states. The main environmental regulations in India are, the:
- Environmental Act 1986
- Water Act 1974
- Air Act 1981
- Rules made under the above acts
Like in various nations, these ecological laws establish requirements for enterprises to follow, such as industry-specific air emissions, and standards for discharges. However, the issue is that they’re not in line with present requirements.
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