The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), on January 28, 2026, notified regarding the exemption of Common Effluent Treatment Plants from the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
The following has been stated namely:-
• A substantial transformation has taken place across various industrial clusters, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, paints, chemical fertilizers, electroplating, textiles and allied industries. These sectors, which were earlier heavily dependent on Common Effluent Treatment Plants, have progressively upgraded their infrastructure in order to comply with increasingly stringent environmental requirements. Such technological improvements have enabled industries to manage their effluents with far greater precision, operational efficiency and accountability. This paradigm shift in effluent management practices and advent of modern technology has opened avenues for better treatment of industrial wastes. Common Effluent Treatment Plants have emerged as a solution to ensuring better self compliance on the principles of collective responsibility. Moreover, the Common Effluent Treatment Plants also serve as a cost-effective facility for treatment of industrial waste on one hand and infuse a sense of self discipline on the other, offering better checks and balances in pollution abatement.
• A growing trend towards the adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge systems has been observed across several sectors. Further, Zero Liquid Discharge systems ensure that no untreated or partially treated wastewater is released into the environment. Instead, the entire effluent stream undergoes comprehensive treatment, and the treated water is recycled and reused within industrial operations. This practice not only conserves valuable freshwater resources but also minimizes the risk of environmental pollution;
[Notification no. S.O. 389(E)]
