Updated on January 24, 2025 03:34:08 PM
Environmental Clearance (EC) is required for project proponents before commencing work on projects listed in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. Environmental Clearance Certificate guarantees that all operations meet environmental safety standards while promoting sustainable growth. An Environmental Clearance certificate is required before beginning any on-site work, including land preparation. Environmental Clearance helps protect public health, maintain ecological balance, and avoid negative environmental impacts. Professional Utilities offers services to businesses to acquire Environmental Clearance Certificate efficiently and on time, assuring complete compliance with government laws.
Environmental Clearance is a government certificate that allows for project development while assuring compliance with environmental standards. Environmental Clearance certificate evaluates a project's environmental, social, and economic impacts and recommends mitigation strategies to reduce negative impacts.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) caters to the Environmental Clearance licence for projects designated as Category A, which have higher environmental hazards and require central-level evaluation. At the state level, the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) regulates projects classified as Category B, which have a relatively modest environmental impact.
Environmental clearance licence offers several benefits for project developers, stakeholders, and the environment, including sustainable development and regulatory compliance.
To obtain CEIG approval for high-voltage electrical installations, the following documents must be submitted along with the application:
Note: Projects near sensitive areas are treated as Category A, even if they fall under Category B.
An Environmental Clearance certificate to operate is required by specific industrial, infrastructure, and construction projects. A list of projects requiring Environmental Clearance licence is given below:
Category | Project |
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Mining, Extraction of Natural Resources, and Power Generation |
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Primary Processing |
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Materials Production |
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Materials Processing |
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Construction, Area Development Projects, and Townships |
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Manufacturing and Fabrication |
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Service Sectors |
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Physical Infrastructure and Environmental Services |
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To begin the Environmental Clearance process, project proponents are required to provide several documents to assure compliance with environmental standards. Below is a list of required documents for the Environmental Clearance procedure:
For construction projects, additional documents related to energy conservation, air quality, and waste management are necessary.
The Environmental Clearance process includes several steps, managed by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at the central level and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) at the state level, based on the project category. Step-by-step Environmental Clearance procedure is given below:
The fee for Environmental Clearance certificate varies based on the total project cost. Tabulated below are the applicable fees and public hearing expenses:
Total Project Cost | Application Fees for Environmental Clearance | Public Hearing Expenses |
---|---|---|
Upto ₹50 lakh | ₹10,000 | Entire expenses to be borne by the project proponent |
Above ₹50 lakh and upto ₹1 crore | ₹20,000 | |
Above ₹1 crore and upto ₹5 crore | ₹50,000 | |
Above ₹5 crore and upto ₹10 crore | ₹1,00,000 | |
Above ₹10 crore and upto ₹25 crore | ₹2,00,000 | |
Above ₹25 crore and upto ₹100 crore | ₹4,00,000 | |
Above ₹100 crore | ₹5,00,000 |
Note: Professional fee for Environmental Clearance certificate starts from ₹99,000 (exclusive of GST).
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a critical component of the Environmental Clearance process, predicting potential impacts and proposing mitigating strategies. The Environmental Impact Assessment includes:
Any expansion in project capacity, area, or technology update has to be done through a new application for Environmental Clearance licence. This ensures that updated environmental standards are consistently met.
An Environmental Clearance in India has a validity ranging from 5 to 30 years, depending on the type of project. Construction projects have a shorter validity period, while large infrastructure and mining projects may have a longer duration. The standard validity periods of Environmental Clearance certificate are:
It is important for project proponents to comply with the terms of the Environmental Clearance during its validity period in order to maintain compliance with environmental regulations.
To extend the validity, submit a renewal application for Environmental Clearance (EC) before the validity has expired. The application must include updated project information, compliance reports, and, if applicable, public hearing records. Authorities will review these submissions to confirm adherence to environmental standards before granting an extension. Missing renewal deadlines may lead to project delays and legal penalties. For construction projects, the project proponent must submit an amended application using Form 1 and additional Form 1A. After consultation with the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), the regulating authority may extend the Environmental Clearance validity. However, this consultation is optional and depends on the authority's discretion.
Environmental Clearance (EC) is a government-certificate that assures project development is consistent with environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance. Environmental clearance licence protects public health, conserves natural resources, and reduces environmental hazards. Obtaining an Environmental Clearance certificate improves project viability, avoids legal complexities, and builds stakeholder trust through public participation. With clear rules for project categories, required documents, and procedural steps, Environmental Clearance promotes responsible industrial and infrastructure growth in India. Professional Utilities simplifies the Environmental Clearance application process by offering expert consultation and compliance assurance to ensure speedy acquisition.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
An Environmental Clearance (EC) Certificate is a government certificate that allows for project development while verifying that environmental safety standards are met. It examines the project's environmental impact and makes recommendations to mitigate undesirable outcomes.
Environmental clearance licence is required for mining and resource extraction, power generation (such as thermal and nuclear plants), cement and metallurgical industries, chemical processing, petroleum refineries, asbestos handling, leather processing, airports, highways, ports, and large townships that exceed defined thresholds.
Projects are classified as Category A or Category B. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) conducts a central review of Category A projects, which have a higher environmental impact. The State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) regulates Category B projects, which have a modest environmental impact. They are further classed as B1 (requiring EIA) and B2 (EIA exempt).
The validity of an Environmental Clearance certificate varies by project type. Mining projects are valid for 30 years, river valley projects for 10 years, and all other projects for 5 years.
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