The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on April 20, 2026, issued clarifications with respect to query raised by the SPCBs/ PCCs of Delhi NCR regarding installation/retro fitment of APCDs in Delhi NCR.
The communication provides clarifications following the review meeting held on April 13, 2026, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change regarding the status of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) and Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) in industries across Delhi NCR.
It has been clarified that boilers or thermic equipment operating on PNG (piped natural gas) or electricity are not required to install APCDs, as these are clean energy sources and particulate matter (PM) emissions are already below the prescribed limits. However, industries must obtain certification from the respective SPCB confirming exclusive use of PNG/electricity and upload the same on the CPCB APCD portal.
For industries claiming that their existing APCDs already meet revised emission norms, they are required to submit an adequacy assessment report from reputed government institutions or empanelled OEMs. This report must include verified stack emission monitoring results from laboratories recognized under applicable environmental laws.
Further, industries are allowed to procure APCDs from non-empanelled OEMs; however, such OEMs must apply for empanelment with the National Productivity Council (NPC) within 10 days of order placement and complete empanelment by May 15, 2026. These directions are issued for immediate compliance by all concerned authorities and industries.
[Notification No. CP-14/33/2025-IPC-III-HO-CPCB-H0-Part (3)/789-792]
