## Report on Notification S.O. 2340(E) Regarding Environmental Laboratories
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes Notification S.O. 2340(E) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on June 16, 2021. This notification establishes a new framework for the recognition of private environmental laboratories and government analysts, mandating accreditation and certification requirements. The core purpose is to enhance the quality and reliability of environmental monitoring and analysis, likely driven by concerns about data integrity and consistency. Key findings include the central role of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the recognition process, the introduction of mandatory accreditations and certifications, and the emphasis on transparency and public accessibility of information related to laboratory performance.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an overview and analysis of Notification S.O. 2340(E), issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on June 16, 2021, based solely on the information contained within the provided text. The report aims to inform affected industries and stakeholders about the key provisions and implications of this notification.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is a *new policy* superseding notification S.O 145 E, dated 21st February, 1991, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objectives of this notification are:
* To regulate the recognition of private laboratories and government analysts involved in environmental monitoring under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
* To ensure the quality and reliability of environmental data through mandatory accreditation and certification requirements for environmental laboratories.
* To increase transparency and accountability in the recognition and monitoring of environmental laboratories.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
As a new policy, it can be inferred that the notification addresses potential issues with the previous framework. Specifically, the emphasis on accreditation (ISO17025:2017) and certification (ISO 45001:2018) suggests a need for greater standardization and quality control within environmental laboratories. The creation of a web-based portal and provisions for public access to information point to a desire for increased transparency and potentially a need to address concerns about the reliability and accessibility of environmental data collected by recognized laboratories. The mention of proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons indicates a potential concern about the accuracy and consistency of analytical results across different laboratories.
**5. Key Provisions:**
The notification establishes the following key provisions:
* **CPCB's Role:** The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is designated as the primary authority for the recognition of private laboratories and government analysts under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Clause 1).
* **Mandatory Accreditation and Certification:** All environmental laboratories must obtain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) according to ISO 17025:2017 standards for all criteria testing parameters and certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management System ISO 45001:2018 before applying for recognition (Clause 2). The recognition of the laboratory is tied to the validity periods of these accreditations and certifications (Clauses 3 and 4).
* **Web-Based Portal:** The CPCB is required to establish a web-based portal within three months of the notification's publication to facilitate the processing of applications, dissemination of information, and online submission of compliance reports by recognized laboratories (Clause 5).
* **Self-Declaration and Compliance Reports:** The recognition process is based on self-declaration of compliance and submission of supporting documents. Recognized laboratories must submit compliance reports biannually via the designated web portal (Clause 6).
* **Proficiency Testing:** The CPCB must conduct proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparison exercises biannually for all recognized laboratories, covering all parameters annually. Participating laboratories bear the costs, and the results are to be made publicly available (Clause 7).
* **Surprise Inspections:** The CPCB must conduct surprise inspections of recognized environmental laboratories through a joint committee comprising members from MoEFCC, CPCB, and State Pollution Control Boards/Committees. Inspection reports are to be made publicly available (Clause 8).
* **Expert Committee:** The CPCB is required to constitute an expert committee to review and revise the guidelines for laboratory recognition, including criteria, procedures, and costs. The committee will make recommendations to the CPCB (Clause 9 & 10).
* **Effective Date:** The notification comes into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (Clause 11).
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are:
* Private environmental laboratories seeking recognition under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
* Government analysts working in these laboratories.
* The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
* The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
* State Pollution Control Boards/Committees.
* National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
* National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
* Industries relying on environmental monitoring data.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the primary responsible agency for implementing the notification. The MoEFCC, State Pollution Control Boards/Committees, NABL, and NEERI also play roles in inspections, expert committee work, and proficiency testing.
* **Timelines/Procedures:**
* The CPCB must establish a web-based portal within three months of the notification's publication.
* The expert committee must review and revise the guidelines for laboratory recognition within three months of the notification's publication.
* Laboratories must obtain accreditation and certification *before* applying for recognition.
* Recognized laboratories must submit compliance reports biannually.
* CPCB must conduct proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparison exercises biannually, covering all parameters annually.
* The expert committee will review and reassess the procedures, guidelines and other process annually.
* **Specific to changes:** The requirement for ISO accreditation and certification is a significant change requiring immediate action from laboratories.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of this notification are:
* Improved quality and reliability of environmental data generated by recognized laboratories.
* Increased transparency and accountability in the recognition and monitoring of environmental laboratories.
* Standardized procedures and criteria for environmental testing.
* Enhanced credibility of environmental monitoring data used for regulatory compliance and decision-making.
* Greater consistency in analytical results across different laboratories.
* Reduced instances of non-compliance or fraudulent practices within environmental laboratories.
**9. Conclusion:**
Notification S.O. 2340(E) represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for environmental laboratories in India. By mandating accreditation, certification, and increased transparency, it aims to improve the quality and reliability of environmental monitoring data. Affected industries and stakeholders need to be aware of the new requirements and timelines for compliance to ensure continued recognition and operation. The success of this policy hinges on the effective implementation by the CPCB and the proactive adoption of the new standards by environmental laboratories.
Key Entities Referenced
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An act of the Indian Parliament. Section 23 of this act confers powers to the government, and sections 12 and 13 are also mentioned regarding recognition of private laboratories and government analysts.
Central Pollution Control Board: The organization responsible for recognizing private laboratories and government analysts, ensuring a web-based portal, conducting proficiency tests, performing surprise inspections, and constituting an expert committee. It operates under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories: An accreditation body that environmental laboratories must obtain accreditation from (ISO17025:2017) before applying to the Central Pollution Control Board.
ISO17025:2017: An international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. Environmental laboratories must obtain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories according to this standard.
Occupational Health and Safety Management System ISO 45001:2018: A standard for occupational health and safety management systems. Environmental laboratories need certification for this system.
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change: The ministry that is part of a joint committee for surprise inspections of environmental laboratories and is also involved in the expert committee for reviewing laboratory recognition guidelines.
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute: A research institute that may collaborate with the Central Pollution Control Board for proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparison exercises and is a member of the expert committee.
State Pollution Control Boards: State-level organizations involved in joint committees for surprise inspections and as members of the expert committee.
Pollution Control Committees: Organizations involved in joint committees for surprise inspections.
New Delhi: Location of publication of the notification.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-16062021-227651
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2176] नई दिल्ली, बुधवार, िनू 16, 2021/ज्र् ष्े ठ 26, 1943
No. 2176] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021/JYAISHTHA 26, 1943
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ुपररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 16 िून, 2021
का.आ. 2340(अ).—केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) (जिसे इसके
पश्चात अजधजनर्म कहा गर्ा ह)ै की धारा 23 द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करते हुए और भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन
पर्ाावरण, वन और वन्द्र्िीव मत्रं ालर् संख्र्ा का.आ. 145(अ), तारीख 21 फरवरी, 1991, की अजधसूचना के अजधक्रमण
में उन बातों के जसवार् जिन्द्ह ें ऐसे अजधक्रमण स े पहल े दकर्ा गर्ा ह ै र्ा करन े का लोप दकर्ा गर्ा ह,ै जनम्नजलजखत आिेि
करती ह,ै अर्ाात ् :-
1. उि अजधजनर्म की धारा 12 की उप-धारा (1) के खंड (ख) के अधीन जनिी प्रर्ोगिालाओं की मान्द्र्ता, के
सार्-सार् पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 की धारा 13 के अधीन सरकारी जवश्लेषकों के रूप में उनके जवश्लेषकों की
मान्द्र्ता केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा द्वारा की िाएगी।
2. सभी पर्ाावरण प्रर्ोगिालाओं को
(i) प्रर्ोगिाला की मान्द्र्ता का तािा र्ा नवीनीकरण;
(ii) सरकारी जवश्लेषकों के नाम में पररवतान; और
(iii) प्रर्ोगिाला पररसर का स्ट्र्ानांतरण
3253 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
के जलए उि अजधजनर्म के उपबंधों के अधीन उि आवेिन पर जवचार करने के जलए केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा
को आवेिन िमा करन े से पहले व्यावसाजर्क स्ट्वास्ट््र् और सुरक्षा प्रबंधन प्रणाली (आईएसओ 45001:2018) के
प्रमाणीकरण के सार् केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा द्वारा र्र्ापररभाजषत सभी मानिंड के परीक्षण मानकों के जलए राष्ट्रीर्
परीक्षण और अंिांकन प्रर्ोगिालाओं के प्रत्र्ार्न बोड ा(आईएसओआई 7025: 2017) स े प्रत्र्ार्न प्राप्त करना होगा।
3. प्रर्ोगिाला की मान्द्र्ता आईएसओ 17025:2017 के अधीन प्रत्र्ार्न की वैधता अवजध और उसमें प्रत्र्ार्न
प्राप्त परीक्षण मानकों के जलए िी िाएगी।
4. प्रर्ोगिाला की मान्द्र्ता दकसी मान्द्र्ताप्राप्त एिेंसी से आईएसओ 45001:2018 प्रमाणीकरण की वैधता
अवजध के जलए िी िाएगी और इसके संचालन के उसी पररसर के जलए वैध होगी जिसके जलए आवेिन दकर्ा गर्ा ह।ै
5. केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा र्ह सुजनजश्चत करेगा दक पर्ाावरण प्रर्ोगिालाओं र्ा सरकारी जवश्लेषकों की
मान्द्र्ता के जलए आवेिनों की प्राजस्ट्र्जत के बारे में िानकारी के प्रसार सजहत आवेिन के प्रसंस्ट्करण के जलए एक वेब
आधाररत पोर्ला , इस अजधसूचना के प्रकािन की तारीख से तीन महीने के भीतर प्रचाजलत हो गर्ा ह ै और मान्द्र्ताप्राप्त
प्रर्ोगिाला द्वारा प्रस्ट्तुत अनुपालन ररपोर्ा को ऑनलाइन िमा करने का उपबंध भी इस पोर्ाल के माध्र्म से दकर्ा िाएगा।
6. प्रर्ोगिाला र्ा सरकारी जवश्लेषक की मान्द्र्ता अपेक्षाओं के अनुपालन की स्ट्वघोषणा और केंरीर् प्रिषू ण
जनर्ंत्रण बोडा द्वारा मान्द्र्ता प्रिान करने के जलए केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा द्वारा जनधााररत सभी अपेजक्षत िानकारी के
जलए सहार्क िस्ट्तावेि प्रस्ट्तुत करन े पर आधाररत होगी और केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा द्वारा र्र्ापररभाजषत के रूप म ें
अनुपालन ररपोर्ा मान्द्र्ताप्राप्त प्रर्ोगिाला द्वारा नाजमत वेब-पोर्ाल पर जद्व-वार्षाक प्रस्ट्तुत दकर्ा िाएगा।
7. केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा र्ा तो स्ट्वर्ं र्ा राष्ट्रीर् पर्ाावरण इंिीजनर्ररंग अनुसंधान संस्ट्र्ान र्ा ऐस े
अनुसंधान संस्ट्र्ानों के सहर्ोग से सभी मान्द्र्ताप्राप्त प्रर्ोगिाला के जलए वार्षाक रूप से सभी मानकों को कवर करने के
जलए, इस तरह के प्रर्ोग करन े के जलए जसद्ध क्षमता वाल े िक्षता परीक्षण और अतं र-प्रर्ोगिाला तलु ना प्रर्ोग आर्ोजित
करेगा और इस तरह के प्रर्ोग के संचालन से िडु ी लागत भाग लेन े वाली प्रर्ोगिालाओं द्वारा वहन की िाएगी, और इस
तरह के प्रर्ोग के ररकॉड ाऔर ररपोर्ा सावािजनक क्षत्रे म ेंउपलब्ध कराई िाएगी।
8. केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा, पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 के अधीन मान्द्र्ताप्राप्त पर्ाावरण
प्रर्ोगिालाओं पर लगाई गई ितों के सत्र्ापन के जलए पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतना मंत्रालर् (एमओईएफसीसी),
केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा और संबंजधत राज्र् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा र्ा प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण सजमजतर्ों के सिस्ट्र्ों की एक
संर्ुि सजमजत का गठन करके आकजस्ट्मक जनरीक्षण का उपबधं करेगा और जनरीक्षण ररपोर् ा सावािजनक क्षत्रे में उपलब्ध
कराई िाएंगी।
9. केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा प्रर्ोगिाला मान्द्र्ता के जलए जवद्यमान दििाजनििे ों की समीक्षा और संिोधन
करने के जलए एक जविेषज्ञ सजमजत का गठन करेगा जिसमें पर्ाावरण वन और िलवार्ु पररवतान मंत्रालर्, राज्र् प्रिषू ण
जनर्ंत्रण बोड,ा राष्ट्रीर् परीक्षण और अंिांकन प्रर्ोगिालाओं के जलए प्रत्र्ार्न बोड ा और राष्ट्रीर् पर्ाावरण इंिीजनर्ररंग
अनुसंधान संस्ट्र्ान के सिस्ट्र् और जविेषज्ञों को उपर्िु समझा िाएगा जिसके अंतगात पररभाजषत मानिडं परीक्षण
पैरामीर्र, प्रवीणता परीक्षण और अंतर-प्रर्ोगिाला तलु ना प्रर्ोग के जलए प्रदक्रर्ा, प्रदक्रर्ा और लागत अनुमान, मान्द्र्ता के
जलए अनुपालन िता और प्रर्ोगिालाओं, आदि द्वारा अनुपालन ररपोर् ा ऑनलाइन िमा करन े के जलए अपेजक्षत संबंजधत
िानकारी सजममजलत ह।ै इस अजधसूचना के प्रकािन के तीन महीने के भीतर और जविेषज्ञ सजमजत की जसफाररि के आधार
पर, केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा उि अजधजनर्म के अधीन प्रर्ोगिाला और सरकारी जवश्लेषकों को मान्द्र्ता िगे ा ।
10. जविेषज्ञ सजमजत वार्षाक रूप स े प्रदक्रर्ाओं, दििाजनिेिों और अन्द्र् प्रदक्रर्ा की समीक्षा और पनु मूाल्र्ांकन
करेगी और केंरीर् प्रिषू ण जनर्त्रं ण बोडा के जवचार के जलए आवश्र्क जसफाररि करेगी।
11. र्ह अजधसूचना रािपत्र म ेंइसके प्रकािन की तारीख स े प्रवृत्त होगी।
[फा. सं. क्र्ू.-15018/13/2020-सीपीडब्ल्र्]ू
नरेि पाल गगं वार, संर्ुि सजचव[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 16th June, 2021
S.O. 2340(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 23 of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) (thereinafter referred to as the Act.) and in supersession of the notification of the
Government of India, in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment, Forests and Wildlife number S.O 145
(E), dated 21st February, 1991, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such
supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following orders, namely: -
1. Recognition of private laboratories under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 12 of the said
Act, as well as recognition of their Analysts as Government Analysts under section 13 of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, shall be done by the Central Pollution Control Board.
2. All environmental laboratories shall obtain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board
for Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation (ISO17025:2017) for all criteria testing
parameters as defined by Central Pollution Control Board along with certification for Occupational
Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018) before submission of application to the
Central Pollution Control Board for consideration of the said application under the provisions of
the said Act, for-
(i) fresh or renewal of recognition of laboratory;
(ii) changes in the name of Government Analysts; and
(iii) shifting of laboratory premises.
3. The recognition of laboratory shall be granted for the validity period of accreditation under
ISO17025:2017 and for the testing parameters accredited therein.
4. The recognition of laboratory shall be granted for the validity period of ISO45001:2018
certification from a recognised agency and shall be valid for the same premises of its operation for
which the application is made.
5. The Central Pollution Control Board shall ensure that a web based portal, for processing of
application including disseminating the information on status of applications for recognition of
environmental laboratories or Government Analysts, is made operational within three months from
the date of publication of this notification, and the provision for online submission of compliance
report submitted by the recognised laboratory shall be also made through this portal.
6. The recognition of laboratory or Government Analyst shall be based on self-declaration of
compliance of the requirements and submission of supporting documents for all requisite
information as stipulated by the Central Pollution Control Board for grant of recognition by the
Central Pollution Control Board, and Compliance report as defined by Central Pollution Control
Board shall be submitted by the recognised laboratory bi-annually on designated web-portal.
7. The Central Pollution Control Board shall conduct proficiency test and inter-laboratory
comparison exercise either of its own or in collaboration with National Environmental Engineering
Research Institute or such research institutes having proven capabilities for undertaking such
exercise, for all recognised laboratory bi-annually, covering all parameters annually, and the cost
associated in conducting such exercise shall be borne by the participating laboratories, and records
and reports of such exercise shall made available in public domain.
8. The Central Pollution Control Board shall make provision for surprise inspection for verification
of conditions imposed on the environmental laboratories recognised under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 by constituting a joint committee comprising members of the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board and
concerned State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees, and the inspection
reports shall be made available in public domain.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
9. The Central Pollution Control Board shall constitute an expert committee comprising of
members from the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate change ,State Pollution Control
Boards, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and National
Environmental Engineering Research Institute and experts as deemed appropriate, to review and
revise the existing guidelines for laboratory recognition including defined criteria testing
parameters, procedure, process and cost estimate for proficiency test and inter-laboratory
comparison exercise, compliance condition for recognition and corresponding information
required for online submission of compliance report by laboratories, etc., within three months of
publication of this notification, and based on the recommendation of expert committee, the Central
Pollution Control Board shall recognise the laboratory and the Government Analysts under the said
Act.
10. The expert committee shall review and reassess the procedures, guidelines and other process
annually and make necessary recommendation for consideration of the Central Pollution Control
Board.
11. This notification shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
[F. No. Q-15018/13/2020-CPW]
NARESH PAL GANGWAR, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.