CTO Certificate for Pollution Control

CTO full form in environment is Consent to Operate. It is required by various entities, primarily businesses and industries, to commence their operations and projects. CTO certificate is granted by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), according to the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. After obtaining the CTO registration, the business can commence its operations formally. 

Consent to Operate (CTO) Certificate

Consent to Operate Certificate or License is a permit that the SPCB issues to a business or industry. It implies that the SPCB has permitted the business or industry to commence operations. Moreover, it signifies that the entity has met the necessary criteria to run its business without causing any major harm to the environment or human health. To ensure compliance with the rules of SPCB, it is mandatory to obtain CTO registration before beginning business operations. While some states have an online process for CTO certificate, some states require the applicants to visit regional offices to apply for this certificate. 

Demonstrating compliance with pollution control standards and measures, and waste management practices outlined by SPCB are important for obtaining a CTO license. It is important to note that CTO registration does not come with lifetime validity and must be renewed 4 months before it expires. Generally, the State Pollution Control Board issues businesses consent to operate certificates for a period of 5, 10, and 15 years in case of red, orange and green category respectively.

Entities that Require CTO Registration

The following entities require CTO registration from the Pollution Control Board of their respective states:

• Battery waste management entities

• Bio-Medical waste management industries

• Industries in the Sectors related to E-Waste Management

• Solid Waste Management Industries

• Plastic waste management entities

• Manufacturing Industries

• Health Care Sectors/Institutions

• Industries in Hazardous Waste Management

Benefits of CTO Pollution Certificate

The CTO in pollution control board has numerous advantages. Some of the advantages of CTO pollution certificate are mentioned as follows:

• CTO helps to keep the air, water and soil clean by making sure that entities follow rules and regulations related to pollution control.

• By obtaining a CTO certificate, entities can avoid getting in trouble or fined by the Pollution Control Board.

• Entities with CTO are viewed as being environmentally conscious and help to protect the health of communities living nearby.

• It encourages businesses to adopt eco-friendly methods for their operations.

• Businesses with CTO certificates showcase how serious they are about following environmental rules.

Documents required for CTO Certificate

The following documents are required for CTO pollution certificate:

• Detailed layout plan of different processes and point sources of effluent/sewage discharge/emissions and position of stack and documents including DG set capability in KVA.

• Process flow sheet.

• The latest analysis report of solid waste, effluent, hazardous wastes and fuel gasses.

• Details of Water Pollution Control or Air Pollution Control instruments provided.

• Ambient Air Quality Report.

• NOC from a local organization.

• Details of chemical reactions with mass equilibrium.

• Consent fees in the form of DD drawn in the favor of the Pollution Control Board.

• Environmental Clearance Certificate from Government to operate in case of industries or processes requiring environmental clearance.

• Water budget calculations.

• DGTD Registration, if applicable.

• Copy of previous consent (in case of CTO renewal only).

Submitting these documents with SPCB is important to fulfill CTO certificate requirements.

Process to obtain Consent to Operate Certificate

Here is how the process for obtaining CTO license takes place:

Submission of CTO Certificate Application

Depending on your state, the applicant must file an application for a CTE certificate either online on SPCB portal or offline at the SPCB’s regional office. Alongside the CTO certificate application, the applicant must attach all the required documents. If the application process is online, you can submit it on the concerned SPCB’s OCMMS portal along with requisite documents and pay the prescribed fee.

Review of Application & Documents by SPCB

Following receipt of the application for CTO registration by the respective Board, every detail included in the application will be reviewed, and all the supporting documentation will be verified. 

Grant of Consent to Operate Pollution Certificate

Upon the completion of scrutiny or initial inspection report, CTO registration is sent to the approving authority. From the date of receipt of the completed application, the entire processing period leading up to the final decision may take around 120 days. The establishment is typically given a provisional CTO in most cases. Once a CTO pollution certificate is issued to the business, it can commence its operations.

Renewal of CTO Certificate

CTO certificate must be renewed as it does not come with lifetime validity. For CTO renewal, a renewal application must be submitted to the Pollution Control Board four months before the present consent reaches its expiration. 

If an application is made for renewal after the expiry, an action might be taken against the business under Section 25/26 of the Water Act and Section 21 of the Air Act. The documents for CTO renewal are similar to documents required for initial CTO application.

SPCB Websites for Various States & UTs

Here are the official SPCB websites for various states and UTs in India:

Our Assistance in obtaining CTO License

If you want to obtain a CTO License for your business entity easily, we recommend you to speak with our experienced consultants at Registrationwala. We will provide you with our full assistance in gathering and preparing all the necessary documents for CTO license. We will help you to fill your CTO application form details correctly and submit the application form with the State Pollution Control Board of the state on your behalf. 

Once your application has been filed, we will coordinate with the SPCB regarding the application progress. We can help you make sure that the pollution control regulations are followed by your entity even after you have obtained your CTO license. 

Get in touch with us as soon as you can, so that we can begin working on getting your business a CTO license straight away! 

FAQs about CTO Certificate Registration

Q1. What is a CTO Certificate for Pollution Control?

A. CTO Certificate is a permit which allows a business or industry to commence operations. This certificate showcases that the entity possessing it follows the pollution control board’s standards for pollution control.

Q2. Who grants the CTO Certificate?

A. The CTO Certificate is granted by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

Q3. Does a CTO License come with lifetime validity?

A. No, it does not come with a lifetime validity. Hence, it must be renewed 4 months prior to the date of expiration to continue business operations. 

Q4. Can you apply for a CTO certificate before obtaining a CTE certificate?

A. No, you need to obtain a Consent to Establish (CTE) certificate before applying for a Consent to Operate (CTO) certificate. Unless the business has the consent to establish, it cannot be established. Only after it has the establishment consent can the business obtain a CTO certificate.