DELHI POLLUTION CONTROL COMMITTEE (DPCC)

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)

Under Section 4 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Section 6 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is empowered to perform the functions of the State Pollution Control Board for all Union Territories. However, Section 4(4) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Section 6 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 provides that CPCB may delegate all or any of its powers and functions of a State Board in a UT under the said Acts to such person or body of persons as the Central Government may specify. The CPCB has delegated all its powers and functions as a State Board in respect of the UT of Delhi to a committee of officials as specified by the Central Government in March, 1991. This committee has been reconstituted on 27th May 2022 vide notification File No. C-603/Delhi PCC/Legal-2022.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee is responsible to issue a license called DPCC license. DPCC is governed and regulated by ministry of Environment & Forests & climate change. DPCC is a kind of no objection certificate which government issues to make sure that the existing business or proposed business model are not causing any harm to the environment and will not affect it in the near future as well.

In the context of environmental regulations in India, businesses and industries are often categorized by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) based on the potential environmental impact they have. These categories—White, Green, Orange and Red (DPCC)—are designed to streamline the process of environmental clearance and ensure that businesses operate within the boundaries of environmental laws.

Here’s a brief overview of each category:

1. White Category:

Description: This is the least environmentally impactful category. It includes businesses or industries that do not have significant effects on the environment.
Characteristics:
- Minimal or no pollution generation.
- Businesses with low-risk environmental impact.
- Generally, they don’t need Environmental Clearance (EC) or Consent to Establish (CTE) from the Pollution Control Boards, unless required by other local regulations.
- Often includes sectors like retail stores, educational institutions, small-scale offices, etc.
Examples:
- IT offices
- Educational institutions
- Small grocery stores
- Shops without heavy machinery or emissions.

2. Green Category:

Description: Green category industries or businesses have a moderate level of environmental impact. They may involve processes or activities that generate some emissions or waste but are within controlled limits.
Characteristics:
- Moderate pollution potential.
- Require Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from SPCBs.
- Operations are generally subject to certain environmental safeguards like waste treatment, air pollution control measures, etc.
- Green category industries are considered environmentally “friendly” but still require regulation and oversight.
Examples:
- Small-scale manufacturing units
- Paper industries (with low emission levels)
- Food processing units
- Textile mills (with minimal water usage or treatment)

3. Red Category:

Description: This is the highest-risk category in terms of environmental pollution. Red category industries are those that have a significant adverse impact on the environment due to their operations, emissions, and waste generation.
Characteristics:
- High pollution potential with significant impacts on air, water, or soil.
- These businesses are subject to stringent environmental regulations.
- Require Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent to Establish (CTE), and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the Pollution Control Board.
- Operations typically involve large-scale industries, and the business must adhere to specific environmental control measures like effluent treatment plants, air quality monitoring, etc.
Examples:
- Cement manufacturing plants
- Chemical manufacturing units
- Large-scale mining
- Thermal power plants
- Distilleries

4. Red Category DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee):

Description: In Delhi, the DPCC classifies certain industries as part of the Red Category to reflect their higher environmental risk. These industries are deemed to pose serious pollution risks to air, water, and soil in the region.
Characteristics:
- Similar to the Red Category industries, but specifically applies to those industries located in Delhi.
- Such industries must comply with the stricter environmental norms and have their operations closely monitored by the DPCC.
- DPCC issues guidelines for installation of pollution control equipment, effluent treatment plants, and other pollution mitigating measures.
- DPCC may also impose additional restrictions or require periodic audits to ensure compliance with environmental laws.
Examples:
- Large industrial plants (e.g., cement, chemical, steel, or thermal power plants) located in Delhi.
- Other high-risk industries that generate significant pollution, including construction activities, large-scale manufacturing, etc.

Summary of Categories:

Category	Pollution Impact	Examples	Regulatory Requirements
White	Minimal or no pollution	Small shops, offices, educational institutions	No major clearance needed
Green	Moderate pollution	Small manufacturers, food processing units	CTE, CTO from SPCBs
Red	High pollution potential	Cement plants, chemical industries, power plants	Strict environmental clearances and controls
Red (DPCC)	High pollution in Delhi	Similar to Red Category, but in Delhi	Stringent DPCC regulations and environmental monitoring

Key Differences:

White Category is essentially exempt from stringent environmental clearance.
Green Category requires limited environmental regulation and monitoring.
Red Category has the highest pollution risk and is subject to heavy regulation and scrutiny.
Red Category DPCC focuses specifically on industries operating in Delhi that fall under the Red Category.

For businesses operating in India, understanding the correct classification is crucial for compliance with environmental regulations, obtaining the necessary licenses, and avoiding penalties. Each State or Union Territory may have slight variations in its categorization process, so it is important to consult with local pollution control authorities like CPCB or DPCC (for Delhi).

Who Needs DPCC Consent Certificate?

List of Industries that require DPCC Consent Certificate

Traders
Manufacturing Entities
Solid waste Management Entities
Health Care Establishment
E-waste Management Entities
Battery waste Management Entities
Solid waste Management Entities
Bio-Medical waste Management Entities
Plastic waste Management Entities

Documents Required for Obtaining DPCC Consent?

General Documents

Pan Card
Aadhaar Card with Registered mobile number
CA Certificate
Electricity bill latest
Location Plan/ Site Plan of the Business Entity.
Documents of Land such as Registration deed/ Rent deed/ Jamabandi/ lease deed indicating the details of the property
Partnership Deed/Resolution of Board of Director/ Memorandum of Article of Association /Proprietorship certificate
Municipality/Local Body Water Connection Certificate.
MCD license (Only for Restaurant)
Valid consent from state pollution control board for the purchaser for import and signed undertaking from the purchaser (Only for Import application)
Bio medical waste agreement (only for clinics and hospitals)
Delhi Medical council Certificate (only for clinics and hospitals)

Documents Required for Red Category

Consent to Establish

Application Form
Consent Fee
Undertaking duly signed by applicant in prescribed format.
Project Report giving details of the unit, various activities, proposed capital investment, nos. of workers & employees, raw materials, Manufacturing Process in Detail with flow chart, details of water consumption & discharge, products & byproducts (with quantity per day), source of emissions and proposed/ pollution control system/ waste water/ measures (details of design & constitute units), as applicable
Lay out plan- Unit dimensions & directions are to be indicated In the layout plan of the so that exact boundary of the unit is known
Proof of possession of allotment letter/ plot/ lease deed. Valid rent agreement in case of rental premises.
PAN Card of the Proprietor/Industrial Unit/ HCU issued by Income Tax department except Government. Owned / PSU Agencies
Original authorization letter, except in case of individual proprietary.

Consent to Operate/Renewal

Application Form
Consent Fee
Undertaking duly signed by the applicant in prescribed format
Certificate from Chartered Accountant (column 5 of consent form)
Manufacturing procedure in Detail with the flow chart
List of product manufactured, raw materials used, and by-products generated during the procedure with max. quantity per day
Noise Monitoring Report of D.G. Set from empanelled laboratory of DPCC, if any, not more than 6 month old.
ETP/STP effluent analysis report of DPCC from empanelled laboratory not more than 6 month old, if applicable
Stack monitoring report(s) not more than 6 month old from empanelled laboratory of DPCC , if applicable
Proof of CETP Membership if CETP exists in the name & address of unit.
Copy of the power/electricity bill of the connection being utilized by the applicant
In case of Municipal Supply, you need to give copy of Water Connection.
PAN Card of the Proprietor/Industrial Unit/HCU issued by Income Tax department except Government. Owned / PSU Agencies
The original authorization letter except in matter of individual proprietary concern.
Copy of CGWA/ DC Permission/DJB/ Registration
MSME/SSI Registration Certificate, If any.
Proof of conformity with the provisions of Master Plan 2021 of Delhi from the relevant authority/local body shall be taken. OR Relevant provision in the Master Plan showing conformity of the activity shall be taken.
In case of Restaurant, Eating House, Red Sweet Shops ,Dhaba & Hotels sector (RESDH) and Banquet Halls / Party Lawns :- Proof regarding connection of their drainage system to the Municipal / Public / Delhi Jal Board Sewer from the concerned Authority (MCD/ DJB /NDMC/DCB).
Self certified undertaking that the unit is having proper correlation of their drainage system to the Municipal/ Public /Delhi Jal Board Sewer shall be taken where industry units are located in the sewered areas.
Valid FSSAI License in case of the units using tobacco as raw material from Food Safety Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi.

In case of Petrol Pump cum Service Station:-

Approved Layout Plan (from Oil Companies)
Allotment dealership/letter with one the 4 National Oil Companies i.e. Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil Company, Bharat Petroleum & IBP.
Letter stating that dealership agreement is totally valid as on date from Oil Company.
Proof of conformity with the provisions of Master Plan 2021 of Delhi from the relevant authority/local body shall be taken/Relevant provision in the Master Plan 2021 showing conformity of the operation shall be taken.

If the unit is falling in the industrial area allocated for redevelopment under MPD 2021, Longitude & latitude shall be obligatory to be submitted by the unit in the self licensed undertaking. Any one of the Documents as proof of date of establishment must be taken.

Any order/direction by DPCC
Municipal Corporation License
Factory License
BIS License
Sales Tax Registration
ITR of the industry
SSI Permanent registration
Excise registration for manufacturing
Drug license, if unit is manufacturing item sheltered under Drug Act
Manufactures certificates in case of house embraces electrical appliances
Land Line telephone bill in the name of unit
Power bill in the name of unit

Documents Required for Green Category

Consent to Establish

Application Form
Consent Fee
Undertaking in prescribed format duly signed by applicant
Undertaking duly signed by applicant in prescribed format
Project Report giving details of the unit, various activities, proposed capital investment, nos. of workers & employees, raw materials, Manufacturing Process in Detail with flow chart, details of water consumption & discharge, products & byproducts (with quantity per day), source of emissions and proposed/ pollution control system/ waste water/ measures (details of design and constitute units), as applicable
Lay out plan- Unit dimensions and directions are to be indicated In the layout plan of the so that exact boundary of the unit is known
Proof of possession of allotment letter/ plot/ lease deed. Valid rent agreement in case of rental premises.
PAN Card of the Proprietor/Industrial Unit/ HCU issued by Income Tax department except Government. Owned / PSU Agencies
Original authorization letter, except in case of individual proprietary
If the unit is seeing under in the industrial area earmarked for Mandatory redevelopment under MPD 2021. Longitude and latitude shall be required to be submitted by the unit in the self certified undertaking.

Consent to Operate/Renewal

Application Form
Consent Fee
Undertaking duly signed by the applicant in prescribed format
Certificate from Chartered Accountant (column 5 of consent form)
Noise Monitoring Report of D.G. Set from empanelled laboratory of DPCC, if any, not more than 6 month old.
Proof of CETP Membership if CETP exists in the name and address of unit.
Copy of the power/electricity bill of the connection being utilized by the applicant
In case of Municipal Supply, you need to give copy of Water Connection.
PAN Card of the Proprietor/Industrial Unit/HCU issued by Income Tax department except Government. Owned / PSU Agencies
The original authorization letter except in matter of individual proprietary concern.

Documents Required for Orange Category

Consent to Establish

Application Form
Consent Fee
Undertaking in prescribed format duly signed by applicant.
Undertaking duly signed by applicant in prescribed format.
Project Report giving details of the unit, various activities, proposed capital investment, nos. of workers & employees, raw materials, Manufacturing Process in Detail with flow chart, details of water consumption & discharge, products & byproducts (with quantity per day), source of emissions and proposed/ pollution control system/ waste water/ measures (details of design & constitute units), as applicable
Lay out plan- Unit dimensions and directions are to be indicated In the layout plan of the so that exact boundary of the unit is known
Proof of possession of allotment letter/ plot/ lease deed. Valid rent agreement in case of rental premises.
PAN Card of the Proprietor/Industrial Unit/ HCU issued by Income Tax department except Government. Owned / PSU Agencies
Original authorization letter, except in case of individual proprietary
If the unit is seeing under in the industrial area earmarked for Mandatory redevelopment under MPD 2021. Longitude and latitude shall be required to be submitted by the unit in the self certified undertaking.

Consent to Operate/Renewal

Application Form
Consent Fee
Undertaking in prescribed format duly signed by the applicant
Certificate from Chartered Accountant (w.r.t. column 5 of consent form)
Manufacturing Process in Detail with flow chart
List of raw materials used, product manufactured and by-products generated during the process with maximum quantity per day
Noise Monitoring Report from empanelled laboratory of DPCC of D.G. Set, if any, not more than six month old.
ETP/STP effluent analysis report from empanelled laboratory of DPCC not more than six month old, if applicable
Stack monitoring report(s) from empanelled laboratory of DPCC not more than six month old , if applicable
Proof of CETP Membership in the name and address of unit, if CETP exists.
Copy of the electricity/power bill of the connection being used by the applicant
Copy of Water Connection, in case of Municipal Supply.
PAN Card of the Industrial Unit/Proprietor/HCU issued by Income Tax department except Govt. Owned / PSU Agencies
Original authorization letter except in case of individual proprietary concern.
Copy of CGWA/DJB/DC Permission/ Registration, if any
SSI / MSME Registration Certificate, if applicable.
In case of RESDH (Restaurant, Eating House, Sweet Shops ,Dhaba and Hotels) sector and Banquet Halls / Party Lawns :- Proof regarding connection of their drainage system to the Public / Municipal / Delhi Jal Board Sewer from the concerned Authority (DJB/MCD/NDMC/DCB).
OR Self certified undertaking that the unit is having proper connection of their drainage system to the Public / Municipal /Delhi Jal Board Sewer shall be taken where units are located in the sewered areas.
Valid License from Food Safety Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi in case of the units using tobacco as raw material.

Documents Required for White Category

Application for Consent- Undertaking in Annexure-A

What is the Registration Procedure for Obtaining Consent Certificate from DPCC?

Verification of Business Activity

All the industries who are looking for consent certificate first must verify their business activity. Once the verification is done, industries are further classified on the basis of business activity.

For the white category, industries can submit Documents online and later an undertaking is generated. The business entity needs to submit a hardcopy along with a signature to DPCC.
Talking of Green and Orange category, it is necessary to check if the site comes in the list of industrial area, if yes the industry submits the Documents online at DPCC official website.

SDM Letter

If the site is under re-development region, at that point SDM letter or industry assessment letter must be given, and in the event that the site isn’t under redevelopment zone, at that point refusal of DPCC assent must be given.

Online Submission of Documents

Once the checking is done, the industry needs to submit essential Documents on the web.

Undertaking (White)/CTE Generation (Others)

In case of white category, the DPCC Undertaking Generation will be generated and in the case of Orange/Green category, DPCC CTE Application will be generated.

Submission of Hard Copy

The business needs to present a hard copy of the CTE application/ DPCC Undertaking alongside the signature. A while later, the board gives a CTE declaration.

Pollution Control Device

Lastly, the industry needs to figure out if there is any need for pollution control device. If the answer is positive then the need arises to install the equipments of pollution control device. The DPCC Lab will monitor the control of equipments.

Generation and Submission of DPCC CTE/CTO Application

After this, application of CTO is generated. The industry has to submit the CTO application to DPCC along with the signatures. Once all the verification is done, CTO certificate is issued.

What are the Main Functions of DPCC Specified by Government of India?

The major functions of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) specified by Government of India as per the Air, Water, and Noise Pollution Act, which are as follows:-

Issuance of the Consent Certificate to relevant Industries falling in the conforming areas under Green and Orange Categories.
Issuance of Authorization to the Clinics, Hospitals, Animal Clinics, Blood Banks, etc.
Direct and advice the Delhi Govt. on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution, and improvement of the quality of air.
Organize, a comprehensive mass awareness programme through mass media on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution
Collect, pile up and publish technical and statistical data concerning to water and air pollution, and the measures made for their effective prevention, control, or abatement.
Prepare codes, manuals, and guidelines connecting to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents, also for stack gas cleaning stacks, devices, and ducts.
Publicize information in respect of matters involving water and air pollution and their prevention as well as control.
Follow up standards for trade effluents, treatment of sewage and for emissions from industrial plants, automobiles and any other polluting source.
Develop reliable and economically viable methods of treatment of sewage, trade effluent and air pollution control equipment.
Assess the quality of ambient water and air, and inspect wastewater treatment installations, air pollution control equipment, industrial plants or manufacturing process to evaluate their performance and to take steps for the prevention, control and abatement of air and water pollution.

What is the Grant Period for CTE/ CTO/ CTW?

The period for which the consent to set up and consent to work is allowed by DPCC in Green and Orange categories of Industries:-

Consent to Establish

It is conceded for the time of one year for building up the unit for all the units allowable to run in Delhi.

Consent to Operate

It is conceded for 10 years to Green category industries.

Consent to Work

It is conceded for 5 years to Orange category industries.