Pollution Control Board Licence in Andhra Pradesh – APPCB Registration Made Easy
End-to-end assistance for Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO), Renewal & Environmental Compliance under APPCB.
What is Pollution Control Board Licence?
A Pollution Control Board (PCB) Licence is a mandatory environmental clearance required for industries and establishments that discharge pollutants into air, water, or land. In Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) is the statutory authority responsible for granting these approvals.
Under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, no industrial unit can commence operations without obtaining proper consent from APPCB.
⚠️ Penalties for Non-Compliance
Operating without PCB consent can result in:
- ✗ Closure Notice & Stop Work Order
- ✗ Penalty up to ₹1 Lakh per violation
- ✗ Imprisonment up to 6 years for serious offences
- ✗ GST Registration Cancellation Risk
- ✗ Bank Loan Rejection & Subsidy Denial
Types of APPCB Licences
Consent to Establish (CTE)
Required before starting construction or installation of any new industrial unit or expansion project.
- ✓ Mandatory before land development
- ✓ Valid for construction period
- ✓ Includes environmental impact assessment
- ✓ Required for factory building plan approval
Consent to Operate (CTO)
Required after construction completion and before commencing commercial operations.
- ✓ Mandatory before starting production
- ✓ Valid for 1 to 5 years (category-based)
- ✓ Renewable before expiry
- ✓ Requires pollution control equipment
PCB Licence Renewal
Existing CTO holders must apply for renewal 60 days before expiry to avoid operations shutdown.
- ✓ Timely renewal prevents penalties
- ✓ Environmental compliance audit required
- ✓ Updated pollution reports needed
- ✓ Annual returns submission mandatory
Expansion / Modification Approval
Required when expanding production capacity, adding new product lines, or modifying manufacturing processes.
- ✓ Fresh CTE needed for major changes
- ✓ Amendment for minor modifications
- ✓ Updated environmental assessment
- ✓ Capacity increase approval
Industries Requiring APPCB Approval
PCB consent is mandatory for the following sectors in Andhra Pradesh:
Manufacturing & Industrial Units
All factories producing goods or processing raw materials
Construction & Infrastructure
Large construction projects, RMC plants, building material units
Pharma, Chemical & Plastic
Drug manufacturing, chemical processing, plastic product units
Hospitals & Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, pathology labs
Hotels & Restaurants
Hotels, resorts, food processing units, commercial kitchens
Mining & Stone Crushers
Quarries, stone crushing units, sand mining operations
Scrap & Recycling Units
E-waste, plastic recycling, metal scrap dealers
MSMEs & Startups
Small-scale industries, manufacturing startups, SME units
APPCB Category Classification
Industries are classified based on pollution potential and compliance requirements:
Red Category
Highly Polluting IndustriesIndustries with high pollution potential requiring strict environmental norms and regular monitoring.
Examples:
- • Chemical Manufacturing
- • Pharmaceutical Units
- • Tanneries & Leather Processing
- • Distilleries & Breweries
- • Dye & Pigment Manufacturing
Compliance:
- ✓ Annual CTO renewal required
- ✓ Continuous emission monitoring
- ✓ Environmental audits mandatory
- ✓ Higher government fees
Orange Category
Moderately Polluting IndustriesIndustries with moderate pollution levels requiring standard environmental controls.
Examples:
- • Food Processing Units
- • Textile Manufacturing
- • Engineering Workshops
- • RMC Plants
- • Printing & Packaging
Compliance:
- ✓ 3-5 years CTO validity
- ✓ Periodic pollution monitoring
- ✓ Annual environmental returns
- ✓ Moderate government fees
Green Category
Low Polluting IndustriesIndustries with minimal pollution requiring basic environmental compliance.
Examples:
- • Assembly Operations
- • Software Services
- • Trading & Warehousing
- • Educational Institutions
- • IT Parks & Offices
Compliance:
- ✓ 5 years CTO validity
- ✓ Self-declaration acceptable
- ✓ Simplified approval process
- ✓ Lower government fees
White Category
Non-Polluting IndustriesIndustries with negligible pollution, exempt from consent requirements in some cases.
Examples:
- • Retail Stores
- • Service Centers
- • Small Offices
- • Consulting Firms
- • Training Centers
Compliance:
- ✓ May be exempt from PCB consent
- ✓ Basic registration only
- ✓ Minimal documentation
- ✓ Nominal fees
Documents Required for APPCB Licence
Keep these documents ready for smooth application processing:
📄 Basic Documents
- ✓ PAN Card of the business/proprietor
- ✓ Aadhaar Card of authorized signatory
- ✓ GST Registration Certificate
- ✓ Udyam Registration (for MSMEs)
- ✓ Company Registration Documents (MOA/AOA, Certificate of Incorporation)
- ✓ Authorization Letter & Board Resolution
🏭 Technical Documents
- ✓ Factory / Site Layout Plan with dimensions
- ✓ Manufacturing Process Flow Chart
- ✓ Water & Air Pollution Details
- ✓ Effluent Treatment Plan (ETP details)
- ✓ Raw Material & Product Details
- ✓ Capital Investment Details
🏢 Property Documents
- ✓ Land Ownership Documents (Sale Deed / Allotment Letter)
- ✓ Lease / Rent Agreement (if applicable)
- ✓ NOC from Landlord (for rented premises)
- ✓ Building Plan Approval
📋 Additional Documents
- ✓ Previous Consent Copy (for renewal/amendment)
- ✓ Environmental Clearance (if required)
- ✓ Annual Environmental Statements
- ✓ Pollution Testing Reports (for renewal)
💡 Note: Document requirements may vary based on industry category and specific project details. Leegal experts will guide you with the exact checklist for your business.
APPCB Application Process
Simple 5-step process with end-to-end support from Leegal:
Free Consultation & Category Identification
Our experts analyze your business operations, identify the correct pollution category (Red/Orange/Green/White), and determine exact PCB requirements.
Document Review & Compliance Assessment
We review all your documents, prepare technical reports (water/air pollution details, ETP plans), and ensure 100% compliance with APPCB norms.
Online Application Filing on APPCB Portal
Complete application filing on the official Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board portal with accurate data, drawings, and supporting documents.
Department Follow-up & Query Handling
Our team handles all APPCB queries, coordinates site inspections (if required), and ensures smooth processing without delays.
Approval & Licence Issuance
Receive your APPCB Consent Certificate digitally. We also guide you on ongoing compliance requirements and renewal timelines.
⏱️ Typical Processing Time: 15-45 days (depending on category)
Why Choose Leegal for APPCB Licence?
Your trusted compliance partner across Andhra Pradesh
Expert Professionals
Team of experienced legal & environmental compliance experts with deep APPCB knowledge
End-to-End Handling
Complete documentation, application filing, follow-up, and approval assistance under one roof
Transparent Pricing
Clear pricing structure with no hidden charges - know exactly what you're paying for
State-Wide Coverage
Serving businesses across all districts of Andhra Pradesh with local expertise
Dedicated Manager
Single point of contact for all your queries and real-time application status updates
Fast Processing
Streamlined process ensuring faster turnaround times and minimal documentation hassles
Pricing Information
Government fees for APPCB licences vary based on industry category, capital investment, consent type (CTE/CTO), and validity period.
Contact Leegal for a customized quote specific to your business requirements. Our pricing includes professional charges and government fees - fully transparent with no hidden costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common queries about APPCB licences in Andhra Pradesh:
📞 Contact Leegal – APPCB Licence Experts
Your trusted compliance partner in Andhra Pradesh
Leegal
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Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, Kakinada & all districts)