Centre Amends Consent Guidelines Under Air and Water Acts

On 27th January 2026, the central government has amended the Uniform Consent Guidelines under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to streamline environmental approvals, reduce procedural delays and strengthen compliance mechanisms across industries.

Key Points

Uniform National Framework: The amended guidelines seek to ensure greater consistency, transparency, and accountability in the granting, refusal, or cancellation of Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate by State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees.
Consolidated Consent and Authorisation: Industries can now apply through a single window for approvals under the Air and Water Acts along with authorisations under Waste Management Rules, reducing multiple applications and approval timelines.
Consent to Operate Validity: Consent to Operate will remain valid until cancelled, removing the need for periodic renewals, while compliance will be ensured through inspections and cancellation in case of violations.
Faster Processing for Red Category Industries: The processing timeline for Red Category industries has been reduced from 120 days to 90 days.
Role of Environmental Auditors: Registered Environmental Auditors certified under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025 can conduct site visits and verify compliance alongside SPCB officers, enabling better prioritisation of high-risk inspections.
Relief for MSMEs: Micro and Small Enterprises located in notified industrial estates or areas will receive deemed Consent to Establish upon submission of a self-certified application.