Himachal Pradesh Pollution Board NOC

The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board is the primary authority that safeguards and improves the environment across the state. The board regulates pollution level in the region. HPSPCB monitors the emissions from industries, and checks the level of soil, air and water pollution in the state. The HP Pollution Control Board also encourages businesses to adopt eco-friendly tool and technologies and adhere to environmental norms. 

For setting up an industry in Himachal Pradesh, an applicant is required to apply for the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board Consent Certificate. Without obtaining a valid certification, industries cannot start their operations in the State. With the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board online application, one can easily apply from anywhere without having to visit the authority.

In relation to the duties and responsibilities of the HP Pollution Control Board, the following notable rules and notices are relevant-

• Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989. 
• Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999/2003. 
• Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules, 2000. 
• Solid Wastes (Management) Rules, 2016. 
• Ozone-depleting substances (Regulation) Rules, 2000. 
• Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001. 
• The Hazardous and Other Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. 
• Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Following are the Prime objectives of the Board

• To develop cost-effective methods for waste disposal.
• To create a comprehensive scheme for the preventative measures, control, or eradication of pollution of streams and wells, as well as air pollution, within the State, and to ensure its implementation.
• By strategically locating new companies and relocating existing ones when needed, the demand for pollution management can be reduced.
• Control pollution at the source while considering the techno-economic efficiency of both liquid and gaseous effluents.
• To provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Pollution Control Board.
• To carry out and sponsor investigations and research related to prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
• To collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data related to air pollution; 
• Use adequately treated waste on lands for industrial and agricultural purposes, and increase the quantity of sewage and industrial effluents that are recycled or reused.
• To advise the Central Government on any matter concerning the improvement of the quality of the air and the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. To plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
• To promote research into and analysis of pollution-related issues, undertake such research and take part in such research.
• To provide advice to the State government on any issue relating to pollution management, prevention, or locating the source.
• To lay down and annual standards for the quality of air.
• The goals are to successfully control water and air pollution as well as to maintain and improve the overall quality of the water for a variety of uses.

Who Needs to Obtain Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) NOC?

Industries dealing in activities that generate any kind of pollution need to obtain a no-objection certificate from their respective state pollution control board. These pollution-causing activities involve the following-

• Discharge of Effluents
• Discharge of Air Pollutants

If your business also undertakes such activities then you need to get NOC from Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board NOC. After receiving the NOC you can perform these activities but under the standards as set by the regulating authority. Apart from this, if a business is being set up in a pollution-regulated area then also it has to get prior approval from the pollution control board Himachal Pradesh.

The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board has given instructions to classify industries into Red, Green, Orange, and White categories and to implement the categorization of industrial sectors. Any new or unused industrial sectors that are not featured in the CPCB's classification must be classified at the level of the relevant SPCBs and PCCs. The primary determinants of categorizing processes have been the scale of the industries and resource consumption. The possible harm to human health as well as the contamination brought on by the release of pollutants and effluents were not taken into account. The SPCBs/PCCs and business organizations demanded a clearer categorization of the industrial sectors. The Pollution Index, or PI, of any industrial sector is a number between 0 and 100; a rising PI value denotes a higher pollution load from that sector. The following Range of Pollution Index criterion for identifying industrial sectors has been decided upon following the end of many brainstorming sessions involving CPCB, SPCBs, and MoEFCC.

• Red Category: Industrial Sectors with Pollution Index scores of 60 or higher
• Orange category: Industrial Sectors with Pollution Index scores of 41 to 59
• Green Category: Industrial Sectors with Pollution Index scores of 21 to 40
• White Category: Industrial Sectors with a Pollution Index score of 20 or lower

The recently established "White" category of industries includes those that manufacture essentially pollution-free goods, such as the production of scientific and mathematical instruments, cotton and woollen hosiery, biscuit trays, and other items from rolled PVC sheet (using automatic vacuum forming machines) (dry process only without any dying or washing operation). Projects that fall under the new category of "white," which are essentially non-polluting, are exempt from the environmental clearance requirement of the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 as well as the consent requirements of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974.

What Are The Types Of Consent Needed As Per The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB)?

• Consent to Establish

Before starting an industry, the tourism unit or hotel(s) must seek permission to do so. In accordance with the terms of the Water Act and/or the Air Act, the proposed hotel must acquire consent to establish. You must submit or upload the application for consent to establish under the Water Act or the Air Act online. 

If an industry or development project does not require environmental clearance from the Government of India, consent to establish is granted subject to a number of restrictions.

• Consent to Operate 

The entrepreneur must seek Consent to Operate once the industry, process facility, or development project has been constructed together with the necessary pollution control systems. The Consent to Operate is granted for the remainder of the current fiscal year and must subsequently be renewed on a regular basis. The Consent to Operate is granted for the final five months of the current fiscal year and must be renewed on a regular basis going forward.

• Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

Every facility occupant who handles, produces, collects, stores, packages, transports, uses, treats, processes, recycles, recovers, pre-processes, co-processes, utilizes, offers for sale, transfers, or disposes of other wastes must submit an application in Form-I to the State Pollution Control Board.

• Registration under Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• Solid Waste Management, Rules 2016
• Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001

Getting consent from the HP Pollution Control Board is an important step for any business or project that may have an environmental impact. Before you start your operations, the board checks that your operations won’t harm the surroundings. 

• Application Submission: Start by filling out the application form (online/ offline). Fill in the details carefully such as mention project details, location and type of industrial operation you will be carrying out. 
• Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board Online Application: With the Online portal available, you can also apply online. Fill in the necessary details correctly and submit the required documents through the official portal. This not only saves the time but also maintains transparency.
• Site inspection by officials: Once your form is submitted, the board may send officials for a site visit. This isn’t something to worry about, they mainly check if your setup follows pollution norms and whether basic preventive steps are already in place.
• Review and Verification: The HPSCB verifies the documents thoroughly and reviews the inspection report. In case of any errors or corrections found, they will reach out to you. 
• Issuance of Consent: After thoroughly verifying the reports, the HP Pollution Control Board grants the Consent certificate. After getting the approval, you can start your operations following the environmental standards.

Before applying for the HPSCB consent, collect all the required documents. This ensures a smooth and quick process:

• Completed application form
• Project report or activity description
• Proof of land ownership or lease
• Payment receipt for application/consent fee
• Environmental management plan (if required)
• Details of pollution control measures taken

The unit may submit an application for RCTE for a period of 1 to 5 years if the industry/development project is still in the construction stage. The following shall be attached along with the application to renew a Consent to Establish-

• Self-Attested Document/Affidavit of no change in process/design/ product capacities.
• Details of Muck generation during the construction period and utilization done thereof. 

Every industry or development project receives consent to operate for the entire fiscal year or a portion thereof. Depending on the type of industry, this consent must be renewed every 5, 10, or 15 years for Red, Orange and Green Category respectively. The status of compliance with the standards established for effluents, emissions, or waste, as applicable, in the prior period is the main factor considered for the renewal of Consent to Operate.

What is the Validity of Consent as per the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB)?

Consent to Establish

After carefully examining the following factors, an industry/development project may apply for consent to establish for a minimum of 1 (one) year and a maximum of 5 (five) years.

• If an industry or development project does not require environmental clearance from the Indian government, consent to establish is granted subject to specific restrictions. 
• The State Board shall grant conditional consent to establish for a minimum of 1 (one) year and a maximum of 5 (five) years as requested by the applicant unit by submitting the necessary fees in the event that the industry or development project requires environmental clearance from the Government of India or the State pursuant to the EIA, 2006 as amended.

Consent to Operate (for Red, Orange and Green Category)

The Consent to Operate is granted for the remainder of the current fiscal year and must subsequently be renewed on a regular basis. The Consent to Operate is granted for the final five months of the current fiscal year and must be renewed on a regular basis going forward. (For example, to match with the financial year cycle, a unit requesting for CTO from 01-06-2022 forward shall be granted the first CTO valid until 31-03-2023.)

Corpseed is a top consulting firm that helps businesses, industries, and project developers obtain approvals and consents from the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB). Our team makes sure your application process is smooth, accurate, and fully compliant with state regulations, so you can focus on running your business without unnecessary hurdles.

• Expert Guidance: Our team has in-depth knowledge of the HP Pollution Control Board consent process. We assist you with eligibility requirements, prepare accurate documentation, and ensure every detail is aligned with regulatory standards.
• End-to-End Application Support: Whether it’s applying through the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board online application, responding to queries, or securing your final consent, we handle every step with care.
• Legal and Compliance Assurance: Our experts ensure that your application is legally sound and aligned with the environmental norms of the state.
• Regular Follow-Up and Updates: We don’t just file your application, we stay on top of it. Our team tracks progress, provides timely updates, and makes sure you get your approval without stress.