The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), on December 11, 2025, issued an Office Memorandum clarifying the applicability of the EIA Notification, 2006 to projects involving the manufacturing of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from biogenic feedstock.
The Ministry noted that it had been receiving proposals seeking prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for SAF projects and that, on a case-to-case basis, the sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) had been granting Terms of Reference by treating such activities under Item 4(a) of the EIA Notification, 2006, relating to the Petroleum Refining Industry.
To remove ambiguity, MoEFCC clarified that SAF production involves processes such as isomerization and cracking, which are analogous to petroleum refining operations. Accordingly, manufacturing of SAF from biogenic feedstock shall be considered under Item 4(a) (Petroleum Refining Industry) of the EIA Notification, 2006, for the purpose of grant of Environmental Clearance.
[Office Memorandum F. No. IA-J-11011/152/2025-IA-II (I)]
