One of the most significant changes is the introduction of Consolidated Consent and Authorisation. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) can now process a single application covering approvals under the Air Act, Water Act and various Waste Management Rules.
This integrated approach eliminates the need for multiple applications, shortens approval timelines and reduces administrative burden for both regulators and industries. Importantly, the government has clarified that the simplification of procedures does not dilute monitoring, enforcement or cancellation provisions.
Consent to Operate Made Continuous
A major reform under the amended guidelines relates to the validity of Consent to Operate. Once granted, CTO will now remain valid until cancelled due to non-compliance. This removes the requirement for periodic renewals, which often caused operational uncertainty and administrative delays.
Environmental compliance will continue to be ensured through inspections and monitoring. Authorities retain the power to suspend or cancel consent in cases of violations, environmental damage or breach of consent conditions.
Faster Approvals for High-Risk Industries
To further improve efficiency, the processing time for Red Category industries has been reduced from 120 days to 90 days. These industries, which have higher pollution potential, will continue to face stringent scrutiny while benefiting from clearer timelines.
The revised framework aims to balance industrial growth with environmental protection by prioritising risk-based regulation and targeted enforcement.
Role of Environmental Auditors Expanded
The amendments also allow Registered Environmental Auditors, certified under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, to conduct site inspections and compliance verification. This provision is expected to ease the workload of SPCBs and enable them to focus more on enforcement and high-risk sectors.
Government officials said the move strengthens trust-based governance while ensuring technical rigour in compliance assessments.
Relief for Micro and Small Enterprises
Special provisions have been introduced for Micro and Small Enterprises operating within notified industrial estates. For such units, Consent to Establish will be deemed granted upon submission of a self-certified application, as environmental suitability of land in these estates has already been assessed.
This step is expected to significantly reduce entry barriers for small businesses while maintaining regulatory oversight through inspections.
Flexible Siting and Uniform Fee Structure
The amended guidelines replace rigid minimum-distance siting norms with site-specific environmental assessments. Authorities can now prescribe safeguards based on local factors such as proximity to water bodies, habitations and ecologically sensitive areas.
States and Union Territories have also been allowed to prescribe a one-time CTO fee for periods ranging from five to 25 years. A uniform definition of capital investment has been introduced to ensure consistency in fee calculation across states.
Balancing Ease of Doing Business and Environment
The government has emphasised that the amended guidelines retain strong safeguards for refusal or cancellation of consent in cases of non-compliance, environmental damage or location in prohibited areas.
Officials described the revised framework as a balanced approach that supports ease of doing business while strengthening environmental protection through continuous monitoring and accountability.