Central Pollution Control Board

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

About 

• • Established in September 1974 in accordance with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, it is a statutory organization. 
  •  In addition, CPCB was given the authority and responsibilities under the 1981 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
  •  It advises the Central Government on any issue pertaining to the prevention and control of water and air pollution as well as the enhancement of air quality.
  •  It also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) regarding the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 
  • The primary functions of the CPCB are as follows: o to prevent, control, or mitigate water pollution in order to improve the quality of streams and wells in various parts of the States; o to enhance air quality and prevent, control, or mitigate air pollution nationwide. 
  •  CPCB’s standardization activities include: o Establishing air quality standards as well as standards for streams and wells in collaboration with State Governments. 
  • CPCB also writes codes, guidelines, and manuals for stack gas cleaning equipment, stacks, ducts, and the treatment and disposal of trade and sewage effluents. 

Generally speaking, CPCB develops standards in the following nine categories: 

• • 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 the 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

In addition to the aforementioned, the CPCB develops the Minimal National Standards (MINAS) under the Comprehensive Industry Document Series (COINDS) that are particular to different industry categories concerning their solid waste, noise levels, emissions, and effluent discharge (water pollutants). State governments must adopt these requirements as the minimum standards.