Government notifies new environment standards for Gensets

New Delhi, Mar 22 (KNN) After holding consultations with the industries and other stakeholders, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has notified the new environment standards for Gensets.

These standards have mandated certification for Gensets in terms of ‘Type approval’ and ‘Conformity of Production’ for air emission as well as noise emission.

The manufacturers are required to obtain the certification for engine products by empanelled agencies which will help in regulating the unorganised sector thereby help in curbing the illegal import of Gensets in the country, which were observed to have higher air and noise emission values.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has notified new environment standards for Gensets running on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) / Natural Gas (NG), Diesel with LPG / NG and Petrol with LPG / NG operated in various cities / towns in the country.

“The primary aim of the new standards for Gensets is to control air and noise pollution emanating from the operation of Gensets. These standards were recommended by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after consultations with industries and other stakeholders,” Ministry of Environment and Forests said in a press release.

The standards for Gensets running on LPG / NG, or in combination with diesel/petrol have been notified for the first time.

In all, the three fuel mode of operation a three-tier classification has been adopted. These standards will control the air and noise emission profile across different category of Gensets and would be revisited in 4-5 years once air and noise emission quality data and technological details pertaining to Gensets are available, the release added.

The draft Standards were uploaded on the Ministry website on 20th July, 2015 for seeking views / comments of stakeholders including general public for extensive consultations.  Based on the recommendations by the Expert Committee, these standards have been recently notified by the Ministry in the Gazette of India Extraordinary.

Recently, the Ministry had also notified improved environmental standards for Thermal Power Plants TPPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants and Sugar Industries (CETPs). (With PIB Inputs)