The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), on December 22, 2025, revised the Red Category list of industries and non-industrial operations. The revision classifies high-pollution potential activities as Red Category, triggering stricter consent, monitoring, and compliance requirements under environmental laws.
Key inclusions cover integrated automobile manufacturing with polluting operations (e.g., surface treatment, painting), asbestos and asbestos-based units, AAC brick/block plants using coal (≥12 TPD), non-alcoholic beverage units with wastewater ≥100 KLD, lead-acid battery manufacturing, carbon black, industrial carbon/graphite, basic and inorganic chemicals (including acids, phosphorus compounds, chlorates/perchlorates, halogens), coke ovens, and cement plants across configurations (with/without co-processing and CPP), among others.
KSPCB has clarified that re-categorisation may occur after inspection where polluting activities are outsourced or operated as stand-alone units. Industries falling under this list must ensure enhanced pollution control measures, obtain/renew Consent to Establish/Operate, and comply with stringent environmental norms applicable to Red Category units.
