CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD & STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARDS

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organisation . It provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC) of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and advises the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.

Its main functions are

1. to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution,
2. to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.

Standardization activity of CPCB

CPCB lays down standards for stream or well in consultation with the State Governments, and also lays down standards for the quality of air. CPCB also prepares manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts. In general following nine categories of standards are developed by CPCB:

• National ambient air quality
• Water Quality Criteria from different sources
• Standards for Emission or Discharge of Environmental Pollutants from various Industries (Issued under Environment Protection Rules, 1986)
• Standards for Treatment and Disposal of Bio-Medical waste by Incineration
• Guidelines for disposal of Common Hazardous Wastes by Incineration
• Emission norms for vehicles
• Auto fuel quality
• Emission standard, Noise limits for Diesel Engines
• Emission & Noise Limit of LPG & CNG Generator Sets

Apart from the above, under the Comprehensive Industry Document Series (COINDS) CPCB also formulates the Minimal National Standards (MINAS) specific for various categories of industries with regards to their effluent discharge (water pollutants), emissions (air pollutants), noise levels and solid waste. These standards are required to be adopted by State Governments as minimal standards.

The series of COINDS including MINAS Standards prepared and published by CPCB is available at the Environmental Information System (ENVIS) website

 Key contact Person: Member Secretary, CPCB, 91-11-22303655, psms.cpcb@nic.in

Website: www.cpcb.nic.in