Rules 6 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 6 is the gateway rule of the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules. Every occupier engaged in handling, generating, collecting, storing, transporting, treating, recycling or disposing of hazardous and other wastes must apply in Form 1 to the State Pollution Control Board and obtain authorisation. The Board grants it in Form 2, within 120 days, valid for five years. Rule 7 lets the Board suspend or cancel it after a hearing.
These Rules are current as amended up to G.S.R. 636(E) dated 16 July 2026 (Chapter VIII on non-ferrous metal scrap in force from 1 April 2026). Later amendments, CPCB guidelines and State Board orders should be checked. If you are preparing an authorisation file, see our compliance documentation service.
Every occupier engaged in the listed waste activities must apply in Form 1 to the State Pollution Control Board with the consents under the Water and Air Acts (rule 6(1)). The Board may grant authorisation in Form 2 within 120 days, valid for five years (rule 6(2)). Annual returns in Form 4 are due on or before 30 June (rule 6(5)). The Board may suspend or cancel it after a hearing and with reasons recorded (rule 7). Deposition centres need authorisation too (rule 6(1B), added in 2024).
Rule 6(1): who applies, and with what
The rule applies to "every occupier of the facility who is engaged in handling, generation, collection, storage, packaging, transportation, use, treatment, processing, recycling, recovery, pre-processing, co-processing, utilisation, offering for sale, transfer or disposal" of hazardous and other wastes. The application is in Form 1 to the State Pollution Control Board. It must carry a copy of:
| Clause | Document |
|---|---|
| (a) | Consent to establish granted by the State Board under the Water Act and the Air Act |
| (b) | Consent to operate granted by the State Board under the Water Act and/or the Air Act |
| (c) | In case of renewal, a self-certified compliance report on effluent and emission standards and the conditions in the authorisation for hazardous and other wastes |
An application for renewal "may be made three months before the expiry of such authorisation". Two transitional provisos protect those authorised, or registered for Schedule IV recycling, under the 2008 Rules until their authorisation or registration expires.
The consents tie the two systems together. Since the 2025 consent guidelines, as amended in 2026, the consent under section 21 or section 25 is granted in a single-step procedure along with the waste authorisation; see paragraphs 6 to 8 of the Air guidelines. The authorisation remains a separate permission under rule 6.
Rule 6(1A): when no authorisation is needed
An occupier "shall not be required obtain an authorisation under this rule" if consent to establish or to operate is not required from the State Board or Pollution Control Committee under the Water Act and the Air Act. The proviso says the waste must then be given to the actual user, waste collector or operator of the disposal facility in accordance with CPCB guidelines. A unit in the white category, which needs no consent under the exemption notifications, may therefore fall in this sub-rule as regards authorisation; see the Air exemption. The waste still has to go to an authorised recipient.
Rule 6(1B) and (1C): deposition centres
Inserted in 2024 with the definition of "deposition centres" (the centres specified in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 for collection of domestic hazardous wastes): deposition centres must obtain authorisation from the State Board or Pollution Control Committee, must give the domestic hazardous waste to the actual user or disposal facility operator, keep records in Form 3 and file an annual return in Form 4.
Rule 6(2): grant, Form 2, period and validity
On receipt of an application "complete in all respects", the Board may, after such inquiry as it considers necessary, and on being satisfied that the applicant has appropriate facilities and technical capabilities and equipment complying with the SOPs or guidelines of the CPCB, and through site inspection, "grant within a period of one hundred and twenty days, an authorisation in Form 2 to the applicant, which shall be valid for a period of five years subject to such conditions as may be laid down therein". For commonly recyclable hazardous waste in Schedule IV, the CPCB's guidelines are followed. A proviso says that on renewal the Board may satisfy itself that there has been no violation of the earlier authorisation, and record it in the inspection report.
The five-year period is the Rules' own. The 2026 consent guidelines changed the validity of consent to operate under the Air and Water Acts, not the validity of authorisation under rule 6(2), which has not been amended on that point to our knowledge.
Rule 6(3) to (8): the rest of the rule
- 6(3): the authorisation is accompanied by a copy of the field inspection report signed by the Board, showing the adequacy of facilities and compliance with CPCB guidelines or SOPs.
- 6(4): the Board may, for reasons recorded in writing and after a reasonable opportunity of being heard, refuse authorisation.
- 6(5): every authorised occupier keeps a record in Form 3 and submits an annual return in Form 4 to the Board "on or before the 30th day of June following the financial year to which that return relates".
- 6(6): the Board maintains a register of conditions imposed, open for inspection during office hours by any interested or affected person.
- 6(7) and (8): an authorised actual user keeps a record of wastes purchased in a passbook issued by the Board with the authorisation, and waste is handed over to an actual user only after the entry is made in the passbook.
Rule 7: suspension and cancellation
Under rule 7(1), the Board may, if in its opinion the holder has failed to comply with any condition of the authorisation or any provision of the Act or the Rules, and after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard and recording reasons in writing, "cancel or suspend the authorisation issued under rule 6 for such period as it considers necessary in the public interest". Under rule 7(2), on suspension or cancellation the Board may give directions for the safe storage and management of the waste, and the occupier shall comply. An order of suspension, cancellation or refusal can be appealed under rule 24, explained in rules 20 to 24.
An authorisation file that works
- Confirm that you need authorisation: rule 6(1) activities, unless rule 6(1A) applies.
- Attach consent copies as rule 6(1)(a) and (b) require.
- Apply for renewal three months ahead with a self-certified compliance report.
- Keep Form 3 current and file Form 4 by 30 June.
- Use the passbook if you are an actual user.
- Respond to a rule 7 notice with evidence and a corrective plan.
Example
Gujarat Solvent Recyclers Private Limited, an actual user, applies in Form 1 with copies of its consents to establish and operate. The Board inspects the site, checks the equipment against CPCB guidelines and grants a Form 2 authorisation within 120 days, valid for five years, with an inspection report. The company maintains Form 3 records and a passbook, and files its Form 4 return before 30 June. In year four it applies for renewal three months before expiry with a self-certified compliance report.
Need help with an authorisation?
An authorisation file draws on consents, inspection reports and returns. Our compliance documentation team can help you prepare Form 1, the supporting copies, the compliance report for renewal and the annual return.
Key takeaways
- Rule 6 requires authorisation for every listed activity involving hazardous and other wastes, applied for in Form 1.
- The Board grants Form 2 within 120 days after inspection; validity is five years.
- Consent copies accompany the application; renewal needs a self-certified compliance report and may be filed three months before expiry.
- Form 4 annual return is due on or before 30 June.
- Rule 7 allows suspension or cancellation after a hearing, with reasons recorded.
Read next
- Rules 8-10: storage, utilisation and SOPs for actual users
- Rules 4 and 5: occupier and State Government responsibilities
- Section 8 of the EP Act: hazardous substance safeguards
- Licenses and registrations required for a waste management company
Disclaimer: Based on the environment rules, guidelines and notifications named above as published in the Gazette of India, read with every amendment notified up to 3 October 2026 that the article names (consolidated reading texts from the CPCB 2021 compilation and the Goa State Pollution Control Board 2025 compilation were checked against the amending notifications), as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines, State Board orders and fees should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.