MODULE -3

EIA Guidelines:
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines generally include the following key
components:

1. Screening: Determine whether a project requires an EIA based on its potential

environmental impact.

2. Scoping: Identify key issues, stakeholders, and the range of impacts to be assessed,
including social, economic, and ecological factors.

3. Impact Analysis: Assess the potential effects of the project on the environment,

considering direct, indirect, cumulative, and long-term impacts.

4. Mitigation Measures: Propose strategies to avoid, reduce, or compensate for negative

impacts.

5. Public Participation: Engage stakeholders and the community to gather input and

address concerns throughout the assessment process.

6. Reporting: Prepare a comprehensive EIA report summarizing findings, proposed

mitigation measures, and public comments.

7. Decision-Making: Regulatory authorities review the EIA report to decide whether to

approve the project and under what conditions.

8. Monitoring and Compliance: Establish a framework for monitoring the environmental

impacts post-approval to ensure compliance with regulations and mitigation measures.

These guidelines help ensure that projects are developed sustainably, minimizing harm to the
environment and communities.

What are Environmental Policies?

Environmental policies encompass a wide range of measures aimed at protecting the

environment and promoting sustainable practices. These policies can cover various sectors
such as air and water pollution control, waste management, conservation of biodiversity,
renewable energy promotion, climate change mitigation, and more. By implementing
comprehensive environmental policies, governments strive to strike a balance between
economic development and ecological sustainability.

Working of Environmental Policy

Environmental policy dictates actions to safeguard the environment. It outlines rules

for industries and individuals. Government agencies enforce these policies. Monitoring
pollution levels is a key aspect. Fines or penalties deter violators. Environmental impact
assessments evaluate proposed projects. Conservation measures protect biodiversity. Regular
updates adapt policies to emerging challenges. Public awareness promotes eco-friendly
practices. Collaboration with international bodies enhances effectiveness. Evaluation ensures
policy goals are met. Continuous improvement is essential for sustainable environmental
management.

List of Environmental Policies - Pre Stockholm Period

Before the Stockholm Conference held in 1972, environmental concerns were not given
significant attention globally. However, certain efforts were made at the national level to
address environmental issues, although they were relatively limited in scope. During this
period, India focused on a few key environmental policies and practices, including:

Forest Conservation Act, 1927: This act aimed to curb deforestation and protect forests
by regulating the felling of trees and ensuring sustainable forest management practices.
Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912: This legislation sought to conserve
wildlife and protect endangered species by declaring certain areas as game sanctuaries
and national parks.
River Pollution Acts: Several acts were introduced to control the pollution of rivers
caused by industrial and domestic waste discharge.
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: This act, although primarily concerned with labor
disputes, indirectly contributed to environmental protection by introducing provisions
regarding the welfare of workers, including their health and safety.

Environmental Policy – Post Stockholm Period (After 1972)

The Stockholm Conference marked a significant turning point in the global approach
towards environmental conservation. It led to increased awareness and action on environmental
issues, prompting nations to develop policies and institutions dedicated to environmental
management
National Environment Policy, 2006

Article 48 of the Directive Principles of State Policy emphasizes the state's

responsibility to protect and enhance the environment, as well as safeguard the country's forests
and wildlife. On the other hand, Article 51-A imposes a duty upon every Indian citizen to
preserve and enhance the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife,
while promoting compassion towards all living creatures.

The National Environment Policy of India, formulated in 2006, acts as a comprehensive

guideline for sustainable development and environmental governance in the country. This
policy aims to integrate environmental concerns into all aspects of development planning and
decision-making processes.

Objectives of the National Environment Policy, 2006

The key objectives of the National Environment Policy, 2006 are as follows:

The policy aims to protect ecosystems and natural resources through conservation,
sustainable use and good governance.
It wants to integrate environmental concerns into all development policies and plans.
The policy promotes sustainable production and consumption to use resources more
efficiently and reduce pollution and waste.
It recognizes that education can build awareness about environment issues and change
people's attitudes and behaviors.
The policy tries to balance meeting current needs with preserving resources and
ecosystems for future use.
It encourages participatory governance and co-operation between government,
businesses and citizens to achieve its goals.

Fifth Five Year Plan

India's Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-1979) emphasized the need for integrated environmental
planning and the creation of appropriate institutional mechanisms. This plan laid the foundation
for the subsequent development of environmental policies in the country.

Sixth Five Year Plan

The Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-1985) saw the establishment of the Department of
Environment in the Indian government. This department played a vital role in formulating and
implementing environmental policies, coordinating environmental research, and promoting
environmental education and awareness.

Tiwari Committee (1980)

The Tiwari Committee (1980) made the following key recommendations regarding
environment policy in India:

The Committee emphasized the need for a comprehensive national environment policy.
It recommended adopting an integrated approach that considers environmental
protection along with economic development.
The Committee stressed the need to maintain ecological balance and ensure sustainable
development. It said "conservation does not mean holding up all development."
It recommended a regulatory framework with strict pollution control standards for
industrial units, vehicles and other sources of pollution.
The Committee proposed a 'polluter pays' principle where the costs of pollution control
and environmental damage are borne by those responsible.
It called for greater public participation and awareness campaigns to promote
environmental protection.
The Committee suggested strengthening research on environment-related issues and
using new technologies for pollution monitoring and control.
It recommended decentralized governance with more powers for local bodies to tackle
local environmental problems.
The Committee called for international cooperation on environmental issues and
adoption of global best practices.

Benefits of Environmental Policies

An environmental policy offers benefits:

Ensures compliance with laws.

Informs employees of their environmental responsibilities.

Enhances cost control.

Reduces incidents leading to liability.

Conserves raw materials and energy.

Improves monitoring of environmental impacts.

Enhances process efficiency.

Benefits extend beyond internal operations. Demonstrating environmental commitment fosters

positive relationships with external stakeholders like investors, insurers, customers, suppliers,
regulators, and the local community. This, in turn, improves corporate image and brings
financial gains such as increased investment, customer sales, and market share.

Impact of Environmental Policies

Implemented environmental policies enhance sustainability.

British Columbia's 2012 gasoline sales tax led to an 11% to 17% reduction in sales, indicating
a willingness to explore cost-saving transportation alternatives.

Stricter environmental policies may result in higher sustainability percentages.

Environmental policies stimulate innovation in various ways.

China's environmental policy employs notices, measures, 'opinions,' 'law,' regulations,

announcements, decisions, regulations, and rules to encourage innovation.

Diverse approaches allow environmental policies to impact the population effectively,

considering public opinions and setting standards through regulations.

International Treaties:
Carbon Management:

Carbon management involves measuring, reducing and compensating carbon emissions

to reduce environmental impact. It is a structured approach that engages all stakeholders,
particularly businesses, in mitigating climate change. This approach encompasses strategies
such as assessing companies' carbon footprints, reducing emissions at the source and
supporting carbon offsetting initiatives (solely for remaining emissions that could not be
reduced otherwise). When implemented together, these steps can guide us towards achieving
net-zero emissions.

The importance of carbon management cannot be overstated. Firstly, carbon

management is critical to mitigating environmental harm as reducing carbon emissions helps
to combat global warming and its associated effects. From an economic perspective, businesses
that adopt strong carbon management practices often benefit from cost savings through
enhanced energy efficiency and waste reduction. Moreover, adhering to regulatory
requirements and aligning with international agreements like the Paris Agreement ensures that
companies are well-prepared for the future regulatory landscape.

Carbon Management Principles

With the worsening climate crisis, effective carbon management is necessary in the
global endeavour to mitigate climate change. By systematically addressing the root causes of
carbon emissions through targeted measures like direct emission reduction and sustainable
practices, businesses can reduce their overall carbon footprint. Synergising global efforts with
the principles of carbon management on a business level is essential for achieving meaningful
carbon reduction.

Principle 1: Measurement and Assessment

Accurate measurement of carbon footprints is the cornerstone of effective carbon management.

It quantifies an organization’s environmental impact, enabling targeted emission reductions.
This includes identifying emission hotspots; measuring Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions; and
developing decarbonisation pathways across complex supply chains.
Principle 2: Planning and Implementing Mitigation Strategies

Another key principle that can help businesses with carbon management is operationalising
emissions reduction and mitigation strategies. Companies can start by creating a mitigation
hierarchy uniquely tailored to a company’s circumstances. By implementing this, companies
can find the right balance of reduction and mitigation actions in locating a path to Net Zero.
Every mitigation hierarchy needs to implement five key actions: prevention, reduction,
substitution, neutralisation, and compensation. This strategic approach ensures a
comprehensive and responsible pathway for businesses to achieve net zero.

The next step for businesses is to implement their decarbonisation strategy, which can include
adopting renewable energy sources, optimising resource usage, and more. By incorporating
sustainable strategies across business operations and collaborating with suppliers,
organisations become integral components of the broader global effort towards carbon
management.

Governments also play a pivotal role in shaping the carbon management landscape. By
implementing carbon tax regulations or emissions trading mechanisms, nations can financially
incentivise emitters to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Australia, Europe, and many
countries in Southeast Asia have already implemented carbon pricing instruments.

Principle 3: Offsetting and Carbon Credits

Another key principle that businesses must consider is carbon offsetting, which is the process
of compensating for unavoidable emissions by investing in projects that remove or capture an
equivalent amount of GHGs. Carbon credits are the units used to quantify these reductions,
representing one ton of carbon dioxide equivalent. Companies or nations can purchase these
credits from projects supporting renewable energy, reforestation, or methane capture,
promoting sustainability and mitigating climate change. These credits act as currency in the
carbon offset market and are usually part of a wider cap-and-trade system, where caps are
instituted on the total amount of emissions. Credits are “permits” that allow companies to emit
a certain amount of carbon, with the total market supply reduced regularly to align with climate
strategies.

However, while supporting these projects can help companies balance their emissions,
offsetting cannot replace direct carbon reduction. To make a lasting, positive impact on the
environment, businesses must primarily focus on emissions measurement and mitigation.
What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol extends the UNFCCC and makes members commit to a specific
reduction target. The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty which extended the 1992
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that commits state parties to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring
and that human-made CO₂ emissions are driving it.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered
into force on 16 February 2005. There were 192 parties (Canada withdrew from the protocol,
effective December 2012) to the Protocol in 2020. The Kyoto Protocol treaty seeks to
implement the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) to combat global warming by decreasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere. The major greenhouse gases that are addressed are:

 Carbon dioxide (CO2)

 Methane (CH4)
 Nitrous oxide (N2O)
 Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
 Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
 Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

In December 2012, after the first commitment period of the Protocol ended, participating
countries in the Kyoto Protocol met in Doha, Qatar to adopt an amendment to the original
Kyoto agreement. This was called the Doha Amendment which added new emission-reduction
targets for the second commitment period, 2012–2020, for these countries. In 2015, at the
sustainable development summit held in Paris, all UNFCCC participants signed yet another
pact, the Paris Climate Agreement, which effectively replaced the Kyoto Protocol.

Principle of Kyoto Protocol

The protocol gives specific target cuts in the emission levels of greenhouse gases of
member countries and makes it binding. However, only developed countries have binding
targets based on the (accurate) premise that they have had a historically larger share in the
emission of pollutants due to the antecedence of industrialisation in those countries compared
to developing economies. This is based on common but differentiated responsibility. These
targets are between -8% and +10% of the countries’ 1990 emission levels. In order to make the
‘binding targets’ more acceptable, the protocol provides flexibility in how countries meet the
targets. Countries are allowed to partially compensate for the emissions by increasing what are
called ‘sinks’, i.e., forests. This is because forests reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Most nations have ratified the treaty. The USA is a notable exception to this. It takes
the stand that having binding targets only for developed countries and not polluting countries
like China and India is potentially harmful for its own economy. Canada withdrew from the
Kyoto Protocol in 2012. The targets are for the following greenhouse gases/gas groups: carbon
dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, sulphur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons and
perfluorocarbons.

The Protocol's first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. All 36
countries that fully participated in the first commitment period complied with the Protocol.
However, nine countries had to resort to the flexibility mechanisms by funding emission
reductions in other countries because their national emissions were slightly greater than their
targets. The financial crisis of 2007–08 reduced emissions. The greatest emission reductions
were seen in the former Eastern Bloc countries because the dissolution of the Soviet Union
reduced their emissions in the early 1990s.Even though the 36 developed countries reduced
their emissions, the global emissions increased by 32% from 1990 to 2010. A second
commitment period was agreed to in 2012 to extend the agreement to 2020, known as the Doha
Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, in which 37 countries had binding targets. Negotiations
were held in the framework of the yearly UNFCCC Climate Change Conferences on measures
to be taken after the second commitment period ended in 2020. This resulted in the 2015
adoption of the Paris Agreement, which is a separate instrument under the UNFCCC rather
than an amendment of the Kyoto Protocol.

India is a non-Annex I country. India is exempted from the treaty’s framework. The
Indian government ratified the treaty in August 2002. Since the per capita emission rates are
much smaller for developing countries compared to the developed countries, India takes the
stand that the major responsibility of reducing emissions lies with the latter.

Apart from national measures, the agreement has three mechanisms that are means to
achieve the Kyoto targets:

1.International Emissions Trading- European Union Emissions Trading System (EUETS)

In 2005, the EUETS was launched, becoming the first and largest international carbon scheme
in force.The EU ETS covers approximately 40% of EUGHG emissions and includes more than
11,000 installations in the energy, domestic aviation and industrial sectors. It aims to reduce
EU net GHG emissions at least 55% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050.The system
works by setting a cap on emissions for each installation and allowing companies to trade
allowances to emit a certain amount of GHGs. This has incentivized companies to reduce their
emissions and invest in low-carbon technologies. Carbon credits from CDM and JI were
allowed during several phases of the scheme.

2.Clean Development Mechanism

3.Joint Implementation (JI)

The Joint Implementation mechanism, which was defined in Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol,
provided a framework for developed countries to collaborate on emission reduction projects
with other developed countries. The main objective of JI was to encourage cooperation and
cost-effective emission reductions by allowing countries to earn Emission Reduction Units
(ERUs) for their participation in such projects.

Kyoto Protocol – Monitoring Emission

The emission monitoring process has to be carried out by various countries and a proper track
record has to be maintained.The emission monitoring is managed by the following process:

Registry systems – These are meant to track the transactions carried out by the parties
as per the Kyoto mechanisms.
Reporting- This is an important part of the process as the respective parties have to
submit their information related to annual emission inventories as per the guidelines in
the protocol.
Compliance system – This ensures that the commitments are met by the parties and in
case of issue relating to this.
Adaptation- This part of the process facilitates the development and deployment of
technologies that can help increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. There
is an adaptation fund to provide financial assistance to parties which take up adaptation
projects and programmes.

How many countries are signatories of the Kyoto Protocol?

84 countries are signatories of the Kyoto Protocol.

How many countries are parties to the Kyoto Protocol?

192 countries are parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

Which are the countries that are not parties to the Kyoto Protocol?

Canada,Andorra,The United States of America,South Sudan

Details of the Kyoto Protocol

 It is legally binding
 Only members of UNFCCC can become parties to the Kyoto Protocol.
 Kyoto Protocol was adopted at the 3rd session of UNFCCC
 To meet the targets of the Kyoto Protocol, member countries cannot include
international shipping and international aviation
 Countries can use Land Use (LU), land-use change (LUC), and Forestry to meet their
Kyoto targets.

What is the Conference of Parties (COP)?

The Official meeting of all countries associated with the Kyoto Protocol is called the
Conference of Parties (COP).

What is the difference between Montreal and Kyoto Protocol?

While the Montreal Protocol was established to phase out substances that deplete ozone, the
Kyoto Protocol was set in place to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, with the exception
to ozone depleting substances.

To read more about Montreal Protocol, check the linked article

What is Clean Development Mechanism?

To combat climate change, the Kyoto Protocol has brought about a clean development
mechanism. This agreement between developed and developing countries seeks to reduce
emissions to preserve the ozone layer and strive for a cleaner environment.Under this program,
financially-reliant nations offer incentives towards developing countries to put into place
projects which reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, while at their own expense,
they earn what are called CER credits or Emission Reduction Units that are equivalent to 1
tonne of CO2.

What is Carbon Credit?

Carbon credit exchange is a concept that aims to encourage countries to decrease

Greenhouse gas emissions by rewarding those who reach their commitments and providing
financial incentives to developing nations to do so.Excess credits (acquired by exceeding the
objective for reducing emissions) can be traded on the worldwide market.One credit
corresponds to one tonne of CO2 emissions avoided.The initiative would increase financing to
developing nations, where numerous projects are being implemented.

Objectives of Clean Development Mechanism

A clean development mechanism project must produce measurable improvements related to

climate change mitigation. The project should provide real, long-term benefits and they should
be able to reduce greenhouse emissions in a material way. The objectives of a clean
development mechanism are:

1. Contribute to the halting and prevention of climate change.

2. Assist developing countries in strategy development that is long-lasting.
3. Assist industrialized countries in reducing emissions and transitioning to greener
energy sources.
4. Assist countries in implementing creative strategies for reducing emissions.
5. Diminishing the reliance on fossil fuels.
6. Employing animal excrement to create energy and actively managing it.
7. Decreasing the amount of pollution produced during the manufacturing process.

Operating Details of Clean Development Mechanism in India

Identification of the Project

This is the initial phase and it entails conducting research to find a notion that has the capability
to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Approval from the Government

After the notion has been recognized, it is proposed to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change for approval by the Indian government.
 Development of the Project

Research is being conducted to establish a baseline against which the shift in emissions will be
monitored in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol.

Authentication

The CDM Administrative Entity appoints an impartial body to verify the results of the
preliminary identification survey.

Registration Process

Formal approval by the governing council transforms the selected project into a CDM project,
granting it all the financial and legal amenities provided by the Kyoto Protocol.

Tracking

Following registration, variations in greenhouse gas emissions are tracked over time and
appropriate improvements to the project’s execution are made.

Verification

A team of specialists verifies all of the data and results before sending them to be certified.

Certification

After thorough verification, the supervising authority acknowledges that the project has
effectively decreased emissions in accordance with the plan.

What is carbon-neutrality?

By definition, carbon-neutral (or carbon neutrality) is the balance between emitting

carbon and absorbing carbon emissions from carbon sinks. Or simply, eliminate all carbon
emissions altogether. Carbon sinks are any systems that absorb more carbon than they emit,
such as forests, soils and oceans.

According to the European Union Commission, natural sinks remove between 9.5 and
11 Gt of CO2 per year. To date, no artificial carbon sinks can remove carbon from the
atmosphere on the necessary scale to fight global warming. Hence, to become carbon-neutral,
companies have two options: reducing drastically their carbon emissions to net-zero or
balancing their emissions through offsetting and the purchase of carbon credits.

How can we achieve carbon neutrality?

 Set a price for carbon emissions that makes it possible to invest in its removal and in
the development of low-emission alternatives, such as renewable energy.
Stop building new coal-powered power stations, which are responsible for a large
proportion of the emissions.
Transfer the carbon tax burden from taxpayers to the polluters.
Mandate the publication of the economic risks associated with the climate.
Include the goal of carbon neutrality in countries' financial and fiscal decisions.

Environmental Legislations- Acts, Rules, Regulations and Notifications [provided in pdf

Appendix 7]

Environmental Standards

In simpler terms environmental standards refer to the maximum permissible

concentration of harmful or potentially harmful pollutants which can be released that
guarantees an acceptable health condition or environmental quality. Environmental standards
help in setting a permissible limit of the pollutants to protect the human and environment
health.

These standards are numerical values and range of permissible limit prescribed by the
governments across the globe and implemented by regulatory agencies in the respective
countries to decide the environmental quality

Classification of Environmental Standards

Environmental standards are classified on the basis of impacts, geographical location,

sources of emission and ecologically sensitivity of the area. According to United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), there are two types on the basis of scale of
impacts.

i) Primary Standards: Primary standards are the limits and permissible values carried out to
protect human health. This is based on the numerical permissible values allowable to protect
the human health but not other components of the environment. Example: Primary standards
as per the clean air act of USEPA provide public health protection to vulnerable groups of
children, elderly people suffering from asthmatic and respiratory diseases e.g. drinking water,
air quality and soil quality standards.

ii) Secondary Standards: Secondary standards are the limits and permissible values that provide
human welfare and safeguard of environment. Example: protection against the decreased
visibility due to smog and dust and damage to crops, flora and fauna and buildings e.g. ambient
air quality standards, waste water standards etc.

On the basis of the above criteria it is further classified into attainment and non-attainment
area. That area which meets the primary or secondary standards as per the national ambient air
quality standards is called attainment area. The areas which does not meet the National ambient
air quality standards or primary and secondary standards for the pollutants are non-attainment
area.

Classification of Environmental Standards on the basis of the nature, source and spatial units
of pollutants are:

1. Ambient Environmental Standards: An ambient environmental standards refers to the

surrounding concentration of pollutants which cannot be explored directly based upon the
various emissions that lead to ambient quality level. It is very important to know the emission
source of pollutants to achieve ambient standards. Sources of pollutants may be helpful to
achieve the standards’. Ambient standards expressed in terms of average concentration level
or pollutants generated from various point and non-point sources. Meteorological and
hydrological phenomena play an important role in ambient standards. That is the reason for
taking an average over a time period or over a geographical area. National Ambient Air Quality
Standards set by Central Pollution Control Board is based on 24 hours and 8 hours.

2. Emission Standards: Emission standards are the permissible limits which never-exceeds
beyond set limit applied directly coming from an industry or other sources. Emission standards
are based on data related to the emission generation performance and cost of available
technology. The great advantage of such standards is their direct relevance to the polluting
activity. It can be set on a wide variety of different bases.

For examples,

i) emission rate (e.g., kilograms per hour),

ii) emission concentration (e.g., parts per million of biochemical oxygen

demand, or BOD, in waste-water),

iii) Percentage removal of pollutants (e.g., 60-per-cent removal of waste

materials before discharge).

3. Source Standards: Source standards are the maximum permissible limits of the pollutants
from their source of origin. The percentage of concentration of various form of pollutants
discharge to the ambient environment from different sources e.g. emission from power plants
and generators or noise level are examples of source standards.

4. Performance Standards: Performance standards refer as exposure standards to the end result
of the polluters to whom it depends upon to regulate and achieve the target of the environmental
standards. These standards are set for workplace, food items and used for drinking water quality
control. It specifies daily or concentration of chemical intake that is considered safe over a
lifetime of exposure. For example workplace standards are set in terms of maximum number
of accidents or level of risk to which workers are exposed. Farmer to reduce their use of
particular pesticides in the field is another example of exposure or performance standards.

5. Biological Standards: These are standards that relate to the concentration of pollutants in
biological fluids and tissues. The advantage of biological standards is that they include
contamination from all sources, which may vary from person to person, thus their use provides
an accurate picture of exposure. One disadvantage is that it is difficult to implement biological
standards because this may require compulsory sampling.For example, washing and dumping
of tailings or waste sludge from factories into stagnant water of lakes impacts aquatic flora and
fauna.

6. Technology Standards: Technology standards specify the technologies, techniques, or

practices including design, engineering, input and output standards which polluters must adopt
or meet to protect the environment during manufacturing stage. In contrast to emission
standards, technology standards impose on polluters certain decisions and technologies to be
used.

Global Environmental Standards

At global level, we generally follow the norms and standards set by World Health
Organisation (WHO) particularly related to air and water in general and ambient air quality
and drinking water in particular. WHO produces international norms on ambient air quality
and water quality in the form of guidelines that are used as the basis for regulations and
standards setting world-wide. These guidelines promote the protection of public health by
advocating for the development of locally relevant standards and regulations.

Environmental Standards in India

 In India, we generally follow the norms and standards set by different organisations of
Government of India. ISO stands for International Organisation for Standards. ISO is an
international agency composed of the national standards bodies of more than 160 countries
including India. For example we follow the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines
for standards air quality including ambient whereas we follow Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS) for drinking water.

Government of India has laid down National Ambient Air Quality standards (NAAQS) for
twelve air pollutants. As mentioned above, the CPCB is the nodal agency for these twelve
pollutants namely PM10, PM 2.5, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen
Dioxide (NO2), Ammonia (NH3), ground level Ozone (O3), Lead, Arsenic, Nickel, Benzene
and Benzo (a) Pyrene. It helps in assessment of air quality with respect to various pollutants
and development of preventive and corrective measures for mitigation.

As mentioned above, BIS has set specifications in IS–10500 and subsequently revised it in the
year 2012. This is popularly known as Uniform Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Protocol.