Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Ilnvironment-3 Section
www.moef.gov.bd
No: 22.00.0000.074.18.001 .17 . rb Date: 06 larruary 2025
Circular
Subject Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing Environmental Clearance
by the Department of Environment with a view to providing One Stop
Service (OSS) of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA).
1. Environmental Clearance is a mandatory requirement for every industry and project as
provided in the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. Section 12 ol this Act
stipulates that no industrial unit or project shall be established or underlaken without obtaining
environmcntal clearance from the Department of Ilnvironment (Doli).
2. The Environment Conservation Rules,2023 made in accordance with the Act provide detail
procedures for issuing environmental clearance. In order to obtain environmental clearance,
industries or projects must submit application in prescribed form with all the necessary
documentation to the DoE.
3. lror the purpose of issuance of Environmental Clearance Certificatc (ECC), the industrial
units and projects are, in consideration of their impacts on the environment and human hcalth,
classified into the following four categories:
i)
ii)
iii)
iu)
Green
Yellow
Orange; and
Red
List of the industrial units and projects under the above-mentioned categories has been
provided in schedule- 1 of Environment conservation Rules, 2023.
4. Iror all proposed industrial units and projects falling in the Yellow, Orange and Red
categorics, firstly a Location Clearance Certificate (LCC) and thereafler an ECC is issued'
t{orievcr, ECC is issued straight away to all proposed industrial units and projects belonging
to Green Category as they do not require any LCC'
5. Moreover, in accordance with Rule-6 of ECR, the LCC is also not required for the industrial
unit and project located in government and private Export Processing Zones (IlPZs), l]conomic
Zonesand gungludesh Small and Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC) lndustrial Estates'
) ,,, Af-
ln this matter, for the establishment of Projects/Industries within the Export Processing Zonel
Economic Zone (GovernmenVPrivate)/BSClC the invcstors have to apply first with all
necessary documents/papers to DoE before commencing any kind of construction works' After
completion of the r.qri."a procedures, the DoE will issue the ECC within the stipulated time'
Aftei expiration of the ECC, the investor has to apply for the renewal to DoE'
6. power has been delegated to all district offices by the Director General to issue
site/environmental clearance in case of Green and Yellow categories of industries and projects.
Besides, in case of Orange category industries and projects (serial no. l-62 of Scedule-l of
ECR, 2023),power has been delegated to all Divisional/Regional/Metropolitan offices to LCC
or ECC. On ihe other hand, in case of Orange category industries and projects (serial no' 63-
1 13 of Scedule- 1 of ECR, 2023) and Red category industries and projects, power to issue LCC
or tiCC has been delegated to the head office of DoE.
7. lior the approval of environmental clearance for the Orange category industries and projects
(serial no. from l ro 62of Scedule-1 of ECR, 2)23),Environmental Clearance Committee has
been formed at each Divisional/Regional/Metropolitan office according to the power given in
Section D$) of Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010). For the
approval of environm-ental clearance of the Red and Orange Category industries and projects
(serial no. from 63 to 113 of Scedule-1 of ECR, 2}z3),Environmental Clearance Committee
has been formed at the Head office of DoE,. As per the TOR of the committee, in each meeting
of Environmental Clearance Committee formed for Orange category, after reviewing the
opinions from the district offrces regarding the applications received for Site/Environmental
.i.uru.r.. of Orange Category of industrieslprojects, approval is given in applicable cases or if
there are any lacks of infoimation that are documented in the minutes ofthe meeting. According
to the decisions of the approved meeting minutes, either ECC is issued to the Orange Category
industries by the Districi/Divisional/Regional/Metropolitan office or a letter is issued to the
industry/project proponents seeking thc desired information'
8. Red Category Proj ccts/lndustries
8.1. In case of Red Category industries or projects, the project proponent should apply to the
respective district office of DoE along with Environment Management Plan (EMP) and other
required documents. District offrce sends all the documents along with their opinion to Llead
Oftfice. After that, the submitted EMP report and other documents are reviewed in the meeting
of Environmental Clearance Committee of the Head Office and in applicable cases
recommendation are given to issue ECC or if there are any lacks of information that are
documented in the minutes of the meeting. According to the decision of the meeting the
district/divisional/regional/metropolitan office issues ECC or a letter is issued to the
industry/project proponents seeking the desired information. But in case of Nationally
Important priority Project (e.g. Natural Gas Extraction, Gas transmission Pipeline installation,
Mega Power Plant etc.) after the approval from the Director General, ECC is issued directly
from the I-lead Office.
8.2. Mentionable that, the primary data generated for the Economic Zones (EZs) already having
an environmental clearance, can be used for the preparation of EMP by the Red Category
industries/projects which will be set up later on within the same EZs. But the 'Validity Period
for the use of Primary Datageneration and used for the preparation of the EMP of EZs, for the
use in the preparation of EMP of the Individual Projects/lndustries will be 5 (Five) years'. After
the end of the validity period, for the preparation of EMP for the proposed Red category
projects/industries have to use the updated Primary Data. Also, After the end of the validity ,
3/
4 aFv
8.3. Further mentionable that for the 'Red Category' Projects/Industries before issuance of the
ECC - the investor can go for some temporary work like - construction of temporary office
shed, labor shed, preliminary construction of storage depot for the construction materials,
temporary roads etc. But investor cannot start the construction of any permanent structure of
the project before receiving the ECC.
8.4 The establishment of a) Economic Zones (EZs), b) Central Effluent Treatment Plant
(CETP), c) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and d) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will be
considered Red Category projects/industries and therefore, the procedure for the issuance of
the ECC for the construction and establishment of Red Category projects/industries should be
followed.
9. Time Frame for Environmental Clearance:
According to the Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Rules 2023, the time frame for the
issuance of ECC or the rejection of the application is as follows:
Type of Industry Type of Clearance Time frame (working days)
Issuance Rejection
Geeen Environment Clearance 7 7
Yellow -do- 7 7
Orange -do- 20 5 (after decision
taken)
Red -do- 30 7 (after decision
taken)
10. Corresponding offic for the submission of application for Environmental Clearance:
-If the location of the industry or project seeking for the ECC falls (within)
(1) any district where there is a district office of the DoE, in that case, the application
should be submitted to that district office;
(2) such a district where there is no district office of the DoE, in that case, the
application should be submitted to the district/divisional office under related
jurisdiction;
i:; U.tropolitan City, in that case, the application should be submitted to the related
tl,tet.opotiian City Office. If there is no separate office for the Metropolitan City, the
application shou|d be submitted to the related district office;
1+j under more than one district under the same division, in that case, the application
slrould be submitted to the related Regional/Divisional offices;
(5) under more than one division, in that case the application should be submitted to
the Head Quarter. N-
I
11. Procedure for Issuing Environmental Clearance for Green Category:
(1) In case of all existing and proposed Green Categories of industries and projects,
only ECC is required. To obtain the ECC the investor/entrepreneur of every Green Category
industry and project will have to apply online to the related offrce of the DoE attaching
necessary papers mentioned in Appendix-1.
(2) After receiving the application from the investor/entrepreneur with all necessary
papers/documents mentioned in the Appendix-1, the related DoE office will issue ECC within
07 (Seven) working days. For any reason, if the application is not approved, the applicant will
be informed in writing about the reasons of rejection within 07 working days. As per ECR,
2023, application for the renewal of ECC should be submitted in due time.
12. Procedure for Issuing Environmcntal Clearancc for Yellow Category
(1) Entrepreneur of every Yellow category of industry or project will have to apply to
the related office of the DoE for obtaining ECC attaching all necessary papers/documents
mentioned in Appendix-2.
(2) Upon rccciving the application from the entrepreneur, the relevant district office
will conduct a site inspection of the industry or project. If the overall environmental activities
of the industrial establishment or project mentioned in the inspection report and the submitted
documents are found satisfactory, the applicant will be informed to pay the clearance fee and
VAT. After the applicable fee is submitted, the environmental clearance will be issued by the
relevant office within 7 (seven) working days. If the application is rejected for any reason, the
applicant must be informed in writing of the specific reasons within 7 (seven) working days.
That is, the application will be resolved within 7 (seven) working days of receiving the
complete application.
13. Procedure for Issuing Environmental Clearance for Orange Category
(i) Entrepreneur of every Orange category industry or project should apply to the
related office of the DoE for the ECC attaching necessary papers mentioned in Appendix-3.
(2) After receiving the application from the entrepreneur, the relevant office will
physically inspect the industry or project to prepare a report with justification and opinion. F'or
industries or projects listed in serial numbers I (one) to 62 (sixtytwo) of Schedule-1 of the
Environment Conservation Rules,2023, this report, along with the application, will be sent to
the relevant Environmental Clearance Committee of the regional, divisional, or metropolitan
office, as applicable. For industrial establishments or projects listed in serial numbers 63 (sixty-
three) to 113 (one hundred and thirteen) of the same schedule, the report, along with the
application, will be sent to the head office of the Department, and a copy will be sent to the
regional and divisional offices, as applicable. If the overall environmental activities of the
industrial establishment or project mentioned in the inspection report and the submitted
documents are found satisfactory, the environmental clearance will be issued by the relevant
office within 20 (twenty) working days. If the application is rejected for any reason, the
applicant must be informed in writing of the rejection decision, along with the reasons, within
a maximum of 5 (five) working days of the decision.
4 Nv
14. Procedure for Issuing Environmental Clearance for Red Category:
(1) Entrepreneur of every Red category industry or project should apply to the related
offrce of the DoE for the ECC attaching necessary papers mentioned in Appendix-4.
(2) Upon receiving the application, the relevant office will conduct a site inspection of
the industrial establishment or project and send a report with justification and opinion regarding
the issuance of the environmental clearance to the head office of the Department. If the overall
environmental activities of the industy or project mentioned in the inspection report and the
submitted documents are found satisfactory, the environmental clearance will be approved
within a maximum of 30 (thirty) working days, and the entrepreneur will be informed to pay
the clearance fee within a maximum of 7 (seven) working days. After receiving the applicable
fee, the environmental clearance will be issued by the relevant district office or the head office
within 7 (seven) working days. If the application is rejected for any reason or if there are any
objections, the applicant must be informed in writing of the rejection decision, along with the
reasons, within a maximum of 7 (seven) working days of the decision.
15. Validity Period of Environmental clearance certificate:
(1) The validity period of ECC for the Green Category industry or project is 5 (Five)
years, the validity p.rioi for Yellow category is 2 (Two) years and for orange and Red
Category industry or project is 1 (One) year.
(2) Application for renewal of ECC should be submitted minimum 30 (Thirty) days
prior to the expiry date of the validity period.
16. Renewal of Environmental Clearance Certificate:
(1) To apply for renewal of the clearance, the prescribed form (Form 5) must be
completed and submitted to the relevant office of the Department.
(2) If the relevant office is satisfied after conducting a site inspeotion of the industrial
establishment or project and if the conditions stipulated in the environmental clearance are
properly followed, the environmental clearance will be renewed.
ll. This is hereby canceling the previous notification of Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change issued on lg February 2Ol9 vide memo number:
22.00.0000 .074.18.001. 17 .44.
Dr. Farhina Ahmed
SecretarY
6
Appendix-1
7
A/
Necessarv papers for Green Categorv of Industrv or Proiect
1) Ontine application in a prescribed form (Form-3);
2) Pollution Control Management (PCM);
3) General information;
4) NOC from local authority
5) BEZA's License/Registration Certificate;
6) Location map and Layout Plan;
7) Detail List and Description of raw materials, Production process-flow diagram and list of
Products;
8) Ownership deed /Lease deed/Rent agreement of the place;
9) License/Opinion/No-objection certificate (In applicable case) by the related Government
authority.
10) Scheduled payment of clearance fees (mentioned in Schedule-6 of ECR'23) as per capital
of the project (Copy of treasury chalan) and the VAT on the fees of Clearance Certificate by
National Board of Revenue (Copy of treasury chalan).
Tlr/
Appendix-2
Necessarv Daners for Yellow of Industrv or Proiect
1) Online application in a prescribed form (Form-3);
2) Pollution Control Management (PCM);
3) Project Profile/DPP/Feasibility Report (if applicable);
4) General information;
5) BEZA's License/Registration Certificate;
6) Location map and Layout plan;
7) Detail List and Description of raw materials, Production process-flow diagram and list of
Products;
8) Waste management Plan;
9) Ownership deed /Lease deed/Rent agreement of the place;
10) License/Opinion/No-objection certificate (In applicable case) by the Government relate
authority;
11) Sc[eduled payment of processing fees (mentioned in Schedule-6 of ECR'23) as per capital
ofihe project (bopy of treasury chalan) and the VAT on the fees of Clearance Certificate by
National Board of Revenue (Copy of treasury chalan).
12. Based on the industry/project required papers and documents on the Site, Technology, Type
and Nature.
0{
8
+
S,<
Appendix-3
Necessarv papers for Orange Categorv of Industrv or Proiect
1) Online application in a prescribed form (Form-3);
2) General information;
3) Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Report;
4) Project Profile/DPP/Feasibility Report (if applicable);
5) NOC from local authoritY;
6) BEZA's License/Registration Certificate;
7) Location map and Layout Plan;
S; Oetalt List and Description of raw materials, Production process-flow diagram and list of
Products;
9) Ownership deed /Lease deed/Rent agreement of the place;
10) Waste Management;
11) Resettlement Action Plan (if applicable);
12) License/Opinion/No-objection certificate (In applicable case) by the Government relate
authority;
13) Scheduled payment of processing fees (mentioned in Schedule-6 of ECR'23) asper capital
of the project (Copy of treasury chalan) and the VAT on the fees of Clearance Certificate by
National Board of Revenue (Copy of treasury chalan).
14. Based on the industry/project required papers and documents on the Site, Technology, Type
and Nature. y
qN
9 h/
Appindix-4
Necessarv papers for Red Category of Industrv or Proiect
1) Online application in a prescribed form (Form-3);
2) General information/project profi lelDPP/feasibility study report;
3) Environmental Plan Management (EMP) report;
4) Project Profile/DPP/Feasibility Report (if applicable);
5) NOC from local authority;
6) BEZA's License/Registration Certificate;
7) Location map and Layout plan;
8) Description of produced goods with raw materials and process-flow diagram;
9) Ownership deed lLease deed/Rent agreement of the place;
10) Waste Management;
11) Trade License;
12) Resettlement Action Plan (if applicable);
13) License/Opinion/No-objection certificate (In applicable case) by the Government relate
authority;
14) Scheduled payment of processing fees (mentioned in Schedule-6 of ECR'23) as per capital
of the project (Copy of treasury chalan) and the VAT on the fees of Clearance Certificate by
National Board of Revenue (Copy of treasury chalan).
15. Based on the industry/project required papers and documents on the Site, Technology, fype
and Nature Ni't-
10
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