Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989

These rules have been formulated to address the issues involved in manufacturing, storing and importing industrial hazardous chemicals. The rules specify that the occupier of the land on which hazardous substances will be handled is obliged to provide evidence that the major accident hazards have been identified and adequate steps have been taken to prevent such accidents and to limit their consequences to humans and the environment.

The occupier is also responsible for preparing an on-site emergency plan, while the relevant authorities have been assigned the task of preparing off-site emergency preparations. The rule also specifies that the population outside the site should be informed about possible accident hazards and safety measures that have been undertaken.

Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules (1989 and 2000)

These rules provide for the control of generation, collection, treatment, transport, import, storage and disposal of wastes listed in the schedule annexed to these rules. The state pollution control boards (SPCB) and the state governments implement these rules, which are applicable to 18 categories of wastes. In order to be subject to regulation, however, the rules set a threshold amount of hazardous waste in each category