How to get pollution certificate (CTO) for establishment in Assam
A pollution license/certificate (Consent to Operate or CTO) is a written official approval granted by the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB), allowing a established to begin operations after it has been established. It is mandatory for any business that has the potential to generate pollutants, emissions, or trade effluents. The CTO ensures that the business complies with all environmental standards and operates pollution control systems effectively.
Consent / Authorization Management (CTO-Focused)
Granting Consent to Operate (CTO) under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, along with Authorization under the Biomedical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, the Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, and the Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000, is one of the key regulatory functions of the State Pollution Control Board.
CTO is essential for ensuring that industries operate in accordance with approved environmental safeguards and do not cause harm to air, water, or land resources.
What is Consent to Operate (CTO)?
Consent to Operate (CTO) is an official approval granted by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), allowing a business or industrial unit to legally commence operations. This consent is provided under the regulatory framework of the:
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
The CTO ensures that your business or facility operates without causing environmental harm, by following all prescribed norms related to pollution control, waste disposal, and emission standards. Obtaining CTO is a legal requirement for any industry that discharges trade effluents, emissions, or hazardous substances into the environment.
Why is CTO Mandatory?
Getting a Consent to Operate is more than just a formality. It’s a crucial step in environmental compliance. Here’s why:
- Legal Compliance: Operating without a valid CTO is a punishable offense under environmental laws.
- Environmental Protection: It ensures your operations do not harm air, water, or soil.
- Documentation for Other Approvals: CTO is often required when applying for electricity connections, bank loans, ISO certifications, etc.
- Operational Continuity: Helps avoid shutdown notices or penalties from Pollution Control Boards.
- Regular Monitoring: Ensures ongoing environmental audits and pollution control measures are in place.
Who Needs Consent to Operate?
Any facility or establishment that may have an impact on the environment needs a CTO. This includes:
- Manufacturing and processing industries
- Construction and infrastructure companies
- Health care establishments (hospitals, clinics generating biomedical waste)
- Hotels, resorts, and commercial kitchens
- Automobile service and repair centers
- Chemical and pharmaceutical industries
- Textile, paper, plastic, or food processing units
- Mining and quarrying projects
- any other as notified by PCB , time to time
If your business falls under the Red, Orange, Green, Blue categories of industrial classification, you must obtain a CTO before operations begin.
How We Help – End-to-End CTO Support
At SGM Consultancy Services, we simplify the entire Consent to Operate process for you. From preparing documentation to follow-ups with the Pollution Control Board, we manage it all.
Our CTO services include:
- Application Filing: We handle the complete application process on the PCB online portal.
- Documentation Assistance: Preparation of required documents such as project reports, layout plans, and pollution control details.
- Site Compliance Audits: Inspection and reporting to ensure your setup meets the required norms. We also provide handholding support in implementing the environment management system.
- CTO Renewal Services: Regular follow-ups to renew expired consents and update changes in production capacity or waste discharge.
NOTE: For official website, you can visit at: https://pcbassam.org