EHS Compliance for Factories and Industrial Units
EHS compliance means meeting every environment, health and safety law that applies to your plant, from pollution consents and hazardous waste returns to factory safety duties. We map the laws that apply to you, prepare the documents and file the returns on time.
What it is
EHS compliance is the full set of environment, health and safety obligations a business unit carries. On the environment side that means pollution consents, waste authorisations and annual statements. On the health and safety side it means the factory and workplace safety laws, plus chemical safety rules where you store hazardous chemicals.
No one law covers all of it. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water and Air Acts, the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016, the Factories Act, 1948 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code all play a part. We keep a single calendar so no date is missed.
Who it applies to
Manufacturing units
Any plant needing consent under the Water or Air Act, or generating hazardous waste, has yearly environment filings. Our environmental audit and Form V page covers that filing in depth. Factories also carry workplace safety duties under their factory licence.
Units handling hazardous chemicals
If you store or process hazardous chemicals, the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 add safety reports, emergency plans and labelling.
Growing businesses and new plants
Say a Faridabad engineering unit adds a night shift and a new paint line. Its EHS position changes that week. Consents, safety approvals and registers all need updating.
Why it matters
Keeps the plant running
Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act lets authorities direct closure and stop electricity or water. A missed filing can lead there.
Protects people on the floor
Safety systems, drills and training exist because chemical and machinery accidents injure people. A clean record shows the controls are real.
Satisfies lenders and buyers
Banks, auditors and large buyers ask for consents, returns and safety records. Having them ready shortens due diligence.
Documents required
Environment
- Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the State Pollution Control Board
- Hazardous waste authorisation, where it applies
- Last Form V Environment Statement
- Waste manifests and records of waste sent out
Health and safety
- Factory licence and approved plan
- Safety data sheets for chemicals on site
- Emergency plan and mock drill records
- Training and medical examination records
Plant and company
- Process description and layout
- List of raw materials, products and wastes
- GST and PAN of the unit
- Fire safety approval, where applicable
Main EHS laws and obligations
| Area | Law | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Pollution consents | Water Act s.25, Air Act s.21 | Obtain and keep consent from the State Pollution Control Board |
| Environment Statement | Rule 14, Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 | File Form V by 30 September for the year ended 31 March |
| Hazardous waste | Rule 6, HOWM Rules, 2016 | Hold authorisation; file Form 4 return by 30 June |
| Hazardous chemicals | MSIHC Rules, 1989 | Safety report, safety data sheets, labelling, emergency plan |
| Workplace safety | Factories Act, 1948; OSH Code | Licence, safe working conditions, safety committee where required |
Here is the catch with workplace safety. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code came into force on 21 November 2025, but the government has said that existing labour Acts and their rules continue during the transition. So, in practice, you still follow your current factory licence conditions while we watch for the Code rules that apply in your state.
How it works
Map the laws to your plant
We start with a short questionnaire on your process, chemicals, waste and headcount. From it we build a legal register: what applies, which authority, which form and which date.
Check the gaps
We compare your register with what you hold today. Expired consents, missing returns, unlabelled chemicals and stale drill records all show up here. In practice, it is far better that we find them than an inspector.
Prepare documents and filings
We draft the Form V Environment Statement, hazardous waste returns, consent renewals and records. Where a chemical safety report or independent safety audit is needed, we coordinate with a qualified safety professional.
Run the calendar
Each month we send reminders and file what falls due. You get one dashboard of dates instead of six separate authorities.
Timelines
30 June each year
Form 4 annual hazardous waste return to the State Pollution Control Board, for the previous financial year.
30 September each year
Form V Environment Statement for the year ended 31 March. Units needing consent or hazardous waste authorisation must file it.
Every six months
Mock drills of the on-site emergency plan under the hazardous chemicals rules, with reports sent to the authorities.
What happens if you miss EHS compliance
Environment penalties
Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides a penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakh, plus up to ₹10,000 a day for continuing default. Authorities can also direct closure under Section 5.
Factory safety penalties
Section 92 of the Factories Act, 1948 provides imprisonment up to two years or a fine up to ₹1 lakh or both, and up to ₹1,000 a day for continuing contravention after conviction.
Lost approvals and orders
A plant without valid consents or authorisations cannot lawfully send waste out, renew a licence or answer a lender. Fixing it after a notice takes longer than staying current.
Frequently asked questions
What does EHS compliance cover?
It covers environment laws, workplace health rules and safety rules for your unit. For a typical factory that means pollution consents, hazardous waste authorisation, the Form V Environment Statement, factory licence conditions and chemical safety duties. The exact list depends on your process and waste. We build a legal register for your plant so you see only what applies to you.
Is Form V mandatory for every unit?
No. Rule 14 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 applies to units needing consent under the Water Act or the Air Act, or hazardous waste authorisation. Those units file Form V with the State Pollution Control Board by 30 September for the year ended 31 March. If your unit is outside those categories, we confirm that in writing.
When is the hazardous waste return due?
The annual return in Form 4 is due by 30 June for the previous financial year. It goes to the State Pollution Control Board under the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016. It applies to occupiers holding authorisation under Rule 6. We set a reminder in May and prepare the figures from your manifests and records.
Has the OSH Code replaced the Factories Act?
The OSH Code came into force on 21 November 2025 and consolidates 13 older laws, including the Factories Act, 1948. The government has said existing Acts and rules continue during the transition. So keep following your current licence conditions. We track the state rules and tell you when your obligations change.
Do I need a safety committee?
The OSH Code provides for safety committees in establishments with 500 or more workers. Smaller units may not need one, but they still need safe working conditions and records. If you are near the threshold, we review headcount and the applicable rules with you before it becomes an issue.
What are the penalties for environment violations?
Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides a penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakh plus up to ₹10,000 a day for continuing default. Authorities can also issue directions under Section 5, including closure. Staying current is cheaper than defending a notice, and we help you get there.
Do hazardous chemical rules apply to my unit?
They apply if you handle chemicals covered by the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989. Duties include safety data sheets, labelling, safety reports and an on-site emergency plan with mock drills every six months. We check your chemical list against the Rules and tell you which duties apply.
Who signs audits and safety reports?
Qualified professionals do. Independent safety audits, sampling and environment audits are done by accredited labs, registered environment auditors and safety experts. Taxhint prepares the documents, tracks deadlines, files on the portals and coordinates with those professionals. You deal with one team.
Can you handle compliance for several plants?
Yes. We keep a separate register and calendar for each site, since consents and authorities differ by state. A group with plants in Haryana and elsewhere gets one summary and separate filings. Tell us the locations and processes and we will scope it.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Government fees depend on the filing: consent fees are set by each State Pollution Control Board, and licence fees by the state labour department. We list them for your plant in the quote.
Ready to begin?
Share your process, chemicals and site details, and we will send you a plant-specific EHS calendar.