Welcome to the June 2026 edition of our environment, social, and governance (“ESG”) monthly newsletter. In this issue, we highlight key regulatory updates, policy changes, and recent judicial decisions that are shaping India’s environmental compliance landscape.
Regulatory Alerts
On 11 June 2026, the Central Pollution Control Board (“CPCB”) has directed all State Pollution Control Boards (“SPCBs”) and Pollution Control Committees (“PCCs”) to adopt and implement the classification of the waste battery collection centres with immediate effect.
On 12 June 2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management (“CAQM”) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has extended the temporary use of alternate fuels such as High Speed Diesel (“HSD”), Biomass, and Refuse Derived Fuel (“RDF”) pellets in place of natural gas by industries, hotels, restaurants and other enterprises in the National Capital Region as an interim arrangement for a period of two (02) month i.e., until 13 August 2026 2026 or until normalcy in gas supplies is restored or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This relaxation was initially granted by CAQM’s order dated 13 March 2026 which was subsequently extended until 13 June 2026.
On 17 June 2026, the Ministry of Heavy Industries notified e-ambulance incentives under PM E-DRIVE. Eligible vehicles include Type-B Patient Transport Vehicles, Type-C Basic Life Support Ambulances and Type-D Advanced Life Support Ambulances under AIS-125 (Part 1). E-ambulances must comply with AIS-145, AIS-038 (Rev. 2), and such ambulance related standards as may be approved or issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (“MoRTH”) or Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (“MoHFW”). Incentives are capped at the lower of INR 30,000 multiplied by the battery capacity in kWh or 35% of ex-factory price of the vehicle, with prescribed warranty, performance, efficiency and phased manufacturing requirements.
The Assam State Pollution Control Board has directed that all existing Brick Kiln units in the State of Assam which have not yet converted to Zig-Zag Technology or Vertical Shaft Technology or adopted Piped Natural Gas (“PNG”) as fuel in brick making, will not be permitted to continue operations with effect from 1st July, 2026. Further, Brick Kiln owners have been directed to use only approved fuels viz. PNG, coal, firewood and/or agricultural residues; obtain modified consent to operate (“CTO”) through the ASOCMMS portal upon completion of conversion; and comply with all emission, siting, and monitoring norms as per MoEF&CC Notification No. G.S.R. 143(E) dated 22 February 2022. Further, existing units converting to Zig-Zag technology are exempted from consent to establish (“CTE”) fee and new brick kilns will be granted CTE only if established with Zig-Zag technology, Vertical Shaft technology or PNG as fuel. Units failing to comply by the stipulated deadline shall be liable for cancellation of CTO and closure of operations under prevailing Acts and Rules without further notice.
On 08 June 2026, the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Japan have adopted the ‘Rule of Implementation’ of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (“JCM”). The JCM facilitates diffusion of leading decarbonizing technologies, products, systems, services, and infrastructure as well as implementation of mitigation actions, and contributes to sustainable development of the Republic of India. These Rule of Implementation defines robust governance arrangements, including a Joint Committee with representatives from both Governments, transparent project approval procedures, third-party validation and verification, sustainable development safeguards and national registries to track the issuance and transfer of credits.
On 17 June 2026, the CPCB issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 regarding the uploading of GST e-invoices by recyclers on the EPR Portal under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. Chairman of SPCBs and PCCs have been directed to direct waste battery recyclers operating in their jurisdiction to make necessary arrangements for uploading GST e-invoices at the EPR Portal for battery waste for the sale of recovered product. Further recyclers that do not have arrangements for GST e-invoice must register for GST e-invoicing. EPR Certificates generated based on recycled product sales invoices other than GST e-invoices shall not be considered after 30 June 2026.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (“CBIC”) has established a Green Channel mechanism for expeditious customs clearance of consignments relating to oil and hazardous and noxious substances (“HNS”) spill response at Okha (Gujarat), Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Paradip (Odisha) and Sir Vijay Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Each Customs Zone is directed to designate a senior officer (not below the rank of Additional or Joint Commissioner) as Nodal Officer for coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, port authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure clearances.
The Delhi’s Department of Environment and Forests has mandated comprehensive directives for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, effective annually from November 1 to February 28 every year. Some of these directions are: (i) Fuel shall be dispensed only to vehicles with a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (‘PUCC’); (ii) non-BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi are barred between November 1 and January 31 (exempting electric, CNG, and emergency vehicles); and (iii) authorized parking charges are doubled, excluding spaces owned and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (“DMRC”).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (“MoEF&CC”) has notified the proposed amendments to the First Schedule to the Ecomark Rules, 2024. The proposal updates the qualification criteria for manufacturers to obtain the Ecomark across six product categories: (i) Paints, Varnishes and Powder Coatings; (ii) Batteries; (iii) Paper products; (iv) Wood and Wood Substitute Products; (v) Fire Extinguishers; and (vi) Coir and Coir Products. The objections and suggestions from the public and stakeholders likely to be affected may be submitted within 60 (sixty) days from the date of publication of the draft in the official Gazette.
From the docket
In M/s. Golden Marine Harvest v. The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone & Ors., the High Court of Judicature at Madras has held that since the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (“CAA Act”) is not listed in the Schedule 1 of the NGT Act, 2010, the National Green Tribunal (“NGT”) lacks the jurisdiction in a matter relating to the applicability of the CAA Act. In this case, the petitioners, who were engaged in running shrimp hatcheries, filed writ petitions seeking a writ of certiorari to quash an order passed by the NGT Southern Zone Bench through which the NGT had directed the removal of the hatcheries for failing to obtain approvals under the Coastal Regulation Zone (“CRZ”) Notifications 2011 and 2019; held them liable to pay environmental compensation; and directed the authorities to regulate their businesses. However, the High Court observed that its decision on jurisdiction did not in any manner dilute the importance of the underlying issue identified by the NGT concerning coastal aquaculture and took suo motu cognizance of the cause.
In M/s. Sripathi Paper and Boards Private Limited v. The Commissioner of Customs and Ors. , the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, disposed of seven connected writ petitions filed by two Sivakasi-based paper manufacturing companies, both of whom import waste paper for recycling under authorisation from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (“TNPCB”). This matter pertains to alleged import of municipal solid waste by misdeclaring it is as clean waste paper. In this case, the respondents relied on two office memorandums and on Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989, which prohibit such imports and require re-export of any contaminated waste paper consignment to the exporting country at the importer’s cost within 90 days of arrival, and on Article 9(2) of the Basel Convention, under which the State of export must ensure illegally trafficked waste is taken back within 30 days. Since the expression used is “re-export”, connoting return to the country of origin and the petitioners had knowingly attempted to bring in prohibited waste jointly with the foreign entities, the Court held it was their obligation to send the consignments back to the countries of origin, and disposed of the petitions directing that: (i) the Container Freight Stations may raise invoices and demand detention/demurrage charges, which the petitioners remain liable to pay, though re-export shall not be obstructed by any such dispute, with recovery to be pursued before the appropriate fora; (ii) the containers must be re-exported to the respective ports of origin within 60 days, failing which environmental compensation of Rs. 50,000/- each per day shall be payable from the 61st day; (iii) the petitioners are jointly liable to pay Rs. 4,00,00,000/- plus further freight charges to the Shipping Liner, with any mutual disputes to be raised before the appropriate fora without stopping the re-export; and (iv) on failure to re-export within 60 days, the duly authorised person under the Environment Protection Act, 1985 shall file a complaint and prosecute the petitioners, their directors and other persons responsible for the offence punishable under Section 19 of the Act.
That’s all we have for you this month.
From the directions issued by the CPCB to the SPCBs and PCCs to implement the classification of the waste battery collection centres with immediate effect and the notification of e-ambulance incentives under PM E-DRIVE by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, June has been a busy month for India’s environmental compliance landscape. We hope that this ESG update will prove useful for you and that you will be watching out for these again next month.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this newsletter is intended for general awareness and should not be considered as legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified legal professional regarding any specific issues mentioned herein. If you have any questions about any of these developments or would like to see something different next month, reach out to us at knowledge@sarthaklaw.com.