Law Updates

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has introduced a new auto-renewal procedure for “Consent to Establish/Operate” applications effective 1 November 2025, as part of the Ease of Doing Business initiative. As per the news scheme, renewal will be issued automatically on the basis of the self-declaration submitted by the occupier, provided the unit complies with all earlier consent conditions, faces no court cases or complaints, has submitted an undertaking to abide by all the Board standards, and has not altered its individual activity. Auto-renewal applies to all consent renewal applications irrespective of capital investment, except for: Red category industries, any activity requiring a valid Environment Clearance, Units operating under temporary consent (for example, brick-kilns, temporary crushers, hot-mix plants).

KSPCB will modify its online consent management portal to promote the auto-renewal process. The consent is liable to cancellation and the occupier to penalties if any information is found false/ incorrect/ forged/ partial, or misleading.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has issued a crucial amendment to the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011 (VOPPA Order). The revised VOPPA Order, 2025, strengthens regulatory oversight and transparency across India’s edible oil sector. All manufacturers, processors, blenders, repackers, and other stakeholders in the edible oil supply chain must now register under the amended Order and submit monthly production and stock returns through the official portal. The move aims to enhance data accuracy, real-time monitoring, and informed policy decisions to boost national food security and supply chain resilience. A large number of industry participants have already registered on the National Single Window System and begun filing monthly returns. Non-compliance will attract penalties under the amended Order and the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. The Department will also conduct inspections and field verification to ensure compliance. This step marks a major stride toward a more transparent, efficient, and accountable edible oil ecosystem in India.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Renewable Energy Equipment Import Monitoring System (REEIMS) to track the import of renewable energy components. This system follows a recent notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) that made registration mandatory for certain items listed under Chapters 70, 73, 84, and 85 of the ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule-I Import Policy.

The REEIMS portal, developed with the help of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), allows importers to register online. Importers must use their Import Export Code (IEC) to register, submit applications, and generate certificates directly from the portal. The final REEIMS certificate can be downloaded and verified online.

The system aims to ensure transparent monitoring, promote organized import of renewable energy equipment, such as solar, and wind components. For technical help, MNRE officials are available for support. This initiative strengthens India's renewable energy policy, improves compliance, and supports sustainable growth in the clean energy sector.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a clarification regarding the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods (Quality Control) Order, 2025 (QCO 2025). Released on October 21, 2025, the Office Memorandum explains that the order applies to all types of storage batteries used in solar photovoltaic systems.

According to the clarification, item number 3, “Storage battery” under QCO 2025 covers every kind of secondary cell and battery utilized in solar off-grid applications. These products must now meet the requirements outlined in the Indian Standard IS 16270:2023.

This move aims to ensure consistent quality standards across the solar energy sector. It promotes reliable performance and safety in battery manufacturing and usage for standalone solar systems. The clarification brings greater uniformity and strengthens compliance mechanisms under India’s renewable energy framework.

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has announced the cancellation of three Quality Control Orders under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. The government has rescinded the earlier orders related to Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride, and Styrene (Vinyl Benzene). These Quality Control Orders, first issued in April 2022, are now withdrawn with immediate effect.

The decision aims to simplify chemical regulations and improve industry compliance. The move follows consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards and reflects a step toward reducing regulatory burden on manufacturers and traders. By withdrawing these orders, the government ensures that the production, import, and trade of these key industrial chemicals remain smooth and uninterrupted.

This update marks an important policy shift in India’s chemical sector, supporting ease of doing business while maintaining public safety through other existing regulatory measures. The notifications were published in the Gazette of India on 24th October 2025.

The Central Government has issued the Mineral (Auction) Third Amendment Rules, 2025 under section 13 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The amendment introduces significant updates to the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015, focusing on simplifying mineral sales, lease management, and compliance alignment.

Under the revised rules, captive mine leaseholders can now sell minerals produced from their mines after meeting specified conditions, replacing the earlier restriction that capped market sales at 50 % of total production. The amendment also ensures that newly found minerals within a lease area may be included in the mining lease in accordance with section 15B, thereby improving procedural clarity.

Additional modifications across rules 10, 16, and 18 insert cross-references to “section 15B and the rules” to harmonize legal provisions. Furthermore, rule 21 prohibits the inclusion of atomic minerals, meeting the notified threshold value, within leases meant for non-atomic minerals. These reforms aim to streamline mineral governance, boost transparency, and ensure responsible resource utilization.