The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Environment (Protection) Seventh Amendment Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The revised framework introduces strict limits on waste discharge, freshwater use, and discharge levels for the pulp and paper industry.
For mills using chemical pulp, standards now control pH, total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), colour, absorbable organic halogens, and sodium absorption ratio. Mills based on recycled fiber face similar limitations with slight relaxations. Additionally, chemical pulp manufacturing will only be allowed where mills operate chemical recovery systems to ensure zero black-liquor discharge.
Freshwater use and discharge standards are product-specific. Bleached grades of chemical pulp are capped at 50 m3 of water per ton of product with 40 m3 effluent discharge. Mills based on recycled fibre are subject to stricter limits.
Emission standards for particulate matter and odorous gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) have been introduced. Rayon-grade pulp industries are excluded from the scope of the amendment.