Law Updates

Subject

Summary: DG Set Emission Control Compliance is now compulsory for industrial, commercial, residential, and office premises running diesel generator sets within the non-attainment areas in Gujarat. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) requires businesses to achieve DG Set Emission Control Compliance by installing certified Retrofitted Emission Control Devices (RECDs) or shifting to gas-based/dual fuel generators. The DG Set Emission Control Compliance varies depending on capacity, starting from no compliance for generators using gas and compulsory RECD or dual fuel fitment for diesel generators from 19 kW to 800 kW. Businesses that ignore DG Set Emission Control Compliance risk regulatory action, shutdown directives, and disruption to backup power continuity. Why DG Set Emission Control Compliance Matters for Your Business Now DG Set Emission Control Compliance is no longer optional guidance for businesses in Gujarat it is a direct, enforceable requirement under a fresh GPCB circular. If your facility, office building, hospital, data centre, or residential society operates a diesel generator (DG) set in any of Gujarat's non-attainment cities, achieving proper DG Set Emission Control Compliance directly determines whether your backup power setup can legally continue to run. GPCB released this circular on 7th July 2026, and it directs the establishment to comply with DG Set Emission Control in relation to CAQM's direction number 76, which was initially made for the National Capital Region but has now been made applicable to Gujarat Non-Attainment cities on the recommendation of CPCB dated 22nd March 2024. This guide will help you to understand all about DG Set Emission Control compliance, which DG sets are covered, and how your business should respond. The Regulatory Framework Behind DG Set Emission Control Compliance DG Set Emission Control Compliance for Gujarat Cities is an outcome of the chain of regulatory processes that starts from the National Clean Air Programme, NGT Orders, CPCB Certificates, and NCR Directions by CAQM, which have now been adopted for Gujarat cities plagued with pollution. Knowing this chain will help business owners realize its importance. Milestone Date What Happened National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched 2019 Identified DG set emissions as a major air pollution source across Indian cities NGT Order in O.A. 681/2018(PB) 06.08.2019 Directed effective emission control for in-use DG sets, including retrofitting CPCB RECD certification procedure notified 28.03.2023 Set testing and certification standards for Retrofit Emission Control Devices CPCB RECD certification procedure notified 26.10.2023 Directed industries operating DG sets of 125 KVA and above in Gujarat to comply CAQM Direction No. 76 issued 29.09.2023 Prescribed regulated DG set operation across NCR using RECDs and cleaner technologies CAQM Direction No. 76 amended 22.02.2024 Revised capacity slabs for RECD applicability CPCB recommendation to SPCBs/PCCs 22.03.2024 Recommended similar RECD/APCD measures for non-attainment cities beyond NCR GPCB Circular (current) 07.07.2026 Directs Gujarat's non-attainment cities to implement CAQM Direction No. 76 for DG Set Emission Control Compliance This circular is issued and is addressed to all industrial, commercial, residential, and office establishments operating DG sets in Gujarat's non-attainment cities. DG Set Emission Control Compliance: What the Rule Actually Requires Compliance with DG Set Emission Control is attained either by installing the Retrofit Emission Control Device or changing over to a dual fuel/gas system as per the capacity-based timeline strictly adhered to in CAQM’s Direction No. 76. The previous regulation was limited to DG sets of 125 KVA capacity and upwards. DG Set Emission Control Compliance Schedule (as per CAQM Direction No. 76, amended 22.02.2024) DG Set Capacity Range Emission Control System Required Operating Restriction Running on LPG/Natural Gas/Biogas/Propane/Butane (any capacity) None required No restrictions, even during GRAP periods Up to 800 kW, compliant with GSR 804(E) dated 03.11.2022 None required No restrictions, even during GRAP periods 800 kW and above Any emission control mechanism, subject to emission standards compliance No restrictions, even during GRAP periods 61 kW to less than 800 kW Dual fuel mode OR Retrofitted ECDs through certified vendors No restrictions, even during GRAP periods 19 kW to less than 61 kW Dual fuel mode No restrictions, even during GRAP periods (subject to conditions below) Portable DG sets (below 19 kW) No specific emission control means currently available Restricted during GRAP periods; permitted only for emergency services Important Update for DG Set Emission Control Compliance: The original Direction No. 76 (29.09.2023) specified the dual-fuel/RECD obligation for capacity between 125 kW and less than 800 kW and from 19 kW up to 125 kW. This was revised on 22.02.2024 so that the RECD limit decreased to include 61 kW up to 800 kW and 19 kW up to 61 kW. Emission Standards Required for DG Set Emission Control Compliance (800 kW and Above) Parameter Emission Standard PM (at 15% O₂) 50 mg/Nm³ NOx (at 15% O₂) 650 mg/Nm³ CO (at 15% O₂) 100 mg/Nm³ Minimum DG Stack Height 30 meters, OR minimum 6 meters above the building height where the DG set is installed, whichever is higher     Example for stack height: If your building is 20 meters tall, your DG stack must be at least 30 meters from ground level. If your building is 27 meters tall, your DG stack must be at least 33 meters from ground level (6 meters above the building). Emergency Services Exemption Under DG Set Emission Control Compliance Certain establishments get limited flexibility even without full DG Set Emission Control Compliance, but strictly for emergency service continuity, not general operations: Elevators, escalators, and travellators in commercial/residential buildings (limited strictly to these functions) Medical services hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and life-saving medical equipment/drug manufacturing units Railway services and railway stations Metro Rail Corporation and MRTS services, including trains and stations Airports and Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) Sewage treatment plants Water pumping stations Projects related to national security and defence Telecommunications and IT/data services Commercial Impact of Ignoring DG Set Emission Control Compliance Using a diesel generator without DG Set Emission Control Compliance means that your business can face regulatory issues, shutdown orders, and power interruptions during grid failures. For companies that use DG sets for power generation when there is a power failure, this cannot be treated as mere paperwork since it impacts operations. Risk Area Business Consequence Non-compliant DG set flagged during inspection Regulatory notice, potential restriction on DG set operation No emission control device fitted before deadline Risk of DG set shutdown affecting business operations Missing certified RECD documentation Compliance gap during environmental audits or CTE/CTO renewal Non-compliant DG sets used for non-emergency purposes Loss of the emergency-use exemption, direct regulatory exposure Stack height non-compliance (800 kW+ DG sets) Non-compliance flag even if emission control device is fitted correctly For facilities that depend on uninterrupted power hospitals, data centres, manufacturing plants running continuous processes a shutdown directive on a non-compliant DG set can mean real operational and financial disruption, not just a compliance fine. Step-by-Step Path to DG Set Emission Control Compliance To be compliant with DG Set Emission Controls, one must know their DG set capacity, select the emission control route to follow, and ensure installation of compliance before undergoing inspections. Below is the process. Step 1: Know Your DG Set Capacity & Applicable Compliance Slab Find out the capacity of your DG set in terms of kW and match it against the above compliance slab to see which type of compliance your DG falls into: no restriction, dual fuel/RECD mandatory, or portable DG set. Step 2: Choose Your DG Set Emission Control Compliance Route If your DG set is between 61 kW and 800 kW, choose either dual fuel conversion or RECD fitment through a certified vendor. If your DG set is between 19 kW and 61 kW, dual fuel mode is mandatory. If gas infrastructure isn't available in your area for dual fuel conversion, document this clearly, since it affects your eligibility for the emergency-use exemption. Step 3: Source RECDs from CPCB-Approved Vendors Certified Retrofit Emission Control Devices manufactured by accredited vendors, which have been certified following CPCB’s 28.03.2023 process, will be considered to be DG Set Emission Control Compliance. Check with the vendor for certification prior to installation. Step 4: Verify Stack Height for Large DG Sets Stack height must be greater than 30 meters or building height plus 6 meters, whichever is larger, in case of DG sets of 800 kW capacity and above. Step 5: Maintain Documentation for DG Set Emission Control Compliance Audits Keep RECD certification, vendor approval documents, dual fuel conversion records, and emission test reports ready for GPCB inspection or CTE/CTO renewal review. Step 6: Classify Emergency-Use DG Sets Correctly If your DG set qualifies under the listed emergency services (hospitals, elevators, water pumping, telecom, etc.), ensure its use is strictly limited to that emergency function using it for general operations forfeits the exemption and breaks DG Set Emission Control Compliance. DG Set Emission Control Compliance Checklist Action Item Applicable To Priority Identify DG set capacity and applicable compliance slab All establishments with DG sets High Fit certified RECD or convert to dual fuel mode 19 kW to 800 kW capacity DG sets High Verify vendor RECD certification Establishments choosing RECD route High Check stack height compliance DG sets 800 kW and above High Maintain compliance documentation for audits All establishments Medium Confirm and document emergency-use classification Hospitals, elevators, water/sewage plants, telecom Medium Common Pitfalls That Break DG Set Emission Control Compliance Most DG Set Emission Control Compliance failures happen because businesses misjudge their DG set's capacity slab, use uncertified vendors, or misuse the emergency-service exemption for general operations. Watch for these specific issues: Using the old capacity thresholds- the amended 22.02.2024 slabs (61 kW and 19 kW) replaced the original 125 kW and 19 kW thresholds; businesses relying on outdated information may believe they're exempt when they aren't. Installing uncertified RECDs- only devices tested and certified under CPCB's official procedure count toward DG Set Emission Control Compliance; uncertified aftermarket devices won't satisfy inspection requirements. No gas infrastructure available for dual fuel conversion- businesses in areas without adequate PNG supply need to document this clearly and consider the RECD route instead, where applicable. Overusing the emergency exemption- running a non-compliant DG set for regular business operations under the guise of "emergency use" is a direct violation of DG Set Emission Control Compliance norms. Ignoring stack height requirements- larger facilities sometimes fit emission control devices correctly but overlook the mandatory stack height rule for 800 kW+ DG sets. Treating this as an NCR-only rule- since Direction No. 76 originated for Delhi-NCR, some Gujarat businesses may mistakenly assume DG Set Emission Control Compliance doesn't apply to them; GPCB's July 2026 circular makes clear it now applies to Gujarat's non-attainment cities too. Where Corpseed Fits In: Simplifying DG Set Emission Control Compliance Compliance with DG Set Emission Control includes capacity assessment, selection of certified vendors, preparation of documents, and cooperation with GPCB regarding the procedure for inspection, which is difficult to perform without proper guidance from experts. The team at Corpseed assists industries, commercial complexes, hospitals, and facilities in determining their capacity for DG sets and identifying certified RECD vendors so that full DG Set Emission Control Compliance can be achieved before GPCB inspection. Get your DG Set Emission Control Compliance assessed before your next GPCB inspection or CTE/CTO renewal. Talk to Corpseed's environmental compliance advisory team for a facility-specific compliance review.