Overview of Consent for Operation (CFO) from SPCB
Consent for Operation (CFO –Air and Water), also known as Consent to Operate (CTO), is granted to industrial units before they can start operation. Under section 25/26 of the Water Act of 1974 and section 21 of the Air Act, of 1981, industries that have the potential to pollute the air and water) must apply for this Pollution No Objection Certificate at their concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or the Pollution Control Committee (PCC). The industry needs pre-operation NOC before it can start the intended operations. The Consent for Operation (CFO)is needed by green, orange and red category industries. Some State Pollution Control Boards also maintain a list of exempted categories (white category) of Industries that do not need consent and can function in any area in the respective state subject to site clearance by the local authority.
Once the industrial unit is established, along with the required pollution control equipment, the applicant must obtain consent to operate (CTO/CFO) for the unit. As this consent is given for a particular period, which must be renewed periodically, industrial units must ensure timely NOC renewal and adhere to the terms and post-compliances issued by the Board to the specific unit.
Consent for Operation (CFO)Approval Procedure
Once the unit is established along with the required pollution control systems, the entrepreneur must obtain consent to operate from the State Board before initiating the operational activities. The following are the stages in the consent management process.
Stage 1: Submission of Online Application and consent Fee through OCMMS
To simplify the Consent management and monitoring mechanism and promote the ease of doing business, states have adopted the Online Consent Management and Monitoring System (OCCMS) for receiving applications for fresh Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent for Operation (CFO)as well as their renewal. Apart from the Pollution NOC, the authorisations needed by specific units handling plastic waste, electronic waste (E-waste), hazardous waste, biomedical waste, etc., require authorisation that the concerned SPCB/PCC also issues. Many states have adopted a Consolidated Consent and Authorisation (CC&A), which provides for a single-point application and clearance of the consent.
Stage 2: Application Scrutiny
The section Officer scrutinises the application and sends it to supervising Officer (Senior Scientific Officer / Scientific Officer / Environmental Engineer), who examines and makes recommendations if needed.
Stage 3: Site Inspection
The Board assigns anInspecting Officer who will visit the site after making a suitable appointment and inspect the complete facility in the owner's presence or a representative authorised by the owner. The officer is an expert and will make a recommendation and prepare an inspection report based on the findings and sample analysis of the trade effluent.
Stage 4: Issuance/ Rejection of Consent for Operation (CFO)
Based on the recommendations of the inspecting officer and addressing all the concerns raised at the time of inspection, the Consent for Operation will be granted/rejected by Chairman / Member Secretary as per the delegation of powers in the concerned Pollution Control Board.
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Inspection during Consent for Operation (CFO)
After the site construction is complete and the entrepreneur has successfully installed all required waste management and pollution abetment equipment as per the applicable standards, he will apply for CFO. The process can usually take 30 days. Therefore, the unit must make the application after considering this time. Apart from this, the unit must also ensure strict adherence to the applicable discharge standards of the pollutants in the trade discharge generated. The following limits must be ensured.
Air Emissions: Air pollution control devices must test emissions from chimneys, exhausts, and vents after exhaust treatment. The PPM concentration of the following pollutants must be regulated.
Wastewater Discharge: Effluent and Wastewater discharge must be tested and regulated. Various parameters must be met at the time of site inspection
Noise levels: The ambient and operating noise level at the facility must be tested and regulated as per the directions issued by the Board in the following circumstances
Noise Levels: Daytime (6 AM to 10 PM)
Nighttime(10 PM to 6 AM)
Document Required for Consent for Operation (CFO) under Air Act
Although consent is granted for air and water, the following sections separately outlay the document requirement in both cases.
Document Required for CFO under Air Act
Document Required for Consent for Operation (CFO)under Water Act
Validity of Consent for Operation (CFO) from SPCB
Consent to operate for the green category is awarded for a longer period as compared to the orange and red category industries. However. Every unit industry needs to renew the consent for operation well before the NOC expires. The following table denotes the validity period of different industries.
Projects |
Validity Period |
Red Category (Large, Medium, Small & Micro-scale units |
5 years |
Orange Category (Large, Medium, & Small scale) |
10 years |
Orange Category (Micro-scale) |
10 years |
Green Category (Large scale) |
15 Years |
Green Category (Medium scale) |
15 Years |
Green Category (Micro & Small scale) |
15 Years |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following industries require category-specific approvals form the state government apart from the abovementioned documents.
- Stone Crusher
- Mining Projects
- Building, Construction and Township Projects
- Oil and Gas, Chemicals and Dyes Units
- Hot Mix Plant
- Brick Kiln Units
- Hydro Electric Projects
There are various parameters that must be regulated, such as
- pH
- TSS
- TDS
- Oil & Grease
- BOD
- COD
Emissions from chimneys:
- PM10
- PM2.5
- NOx