Sindh
The Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 (SEPA)
The Act provides for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, for the prevention and control of pollution, and promotion of sustainable development. Section 3 of the Act establishes the Sindh Environmental Protection Council tasked with coordinating and supervising the enforcement of the provisions of this Act and other laws relating to the environment in the Province. Section 5 of the Act also establishes the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency to be headed by the Director General. The Agency is primarily to administer and implement the provisions of this Act. The Agency is also empowered to ease, purchase, acquire, own, hold, improve, use or otherwise deal in and with any property both movable and immovable. In addition, the Sindh Sustainable Development fund has also been established. It is to be derived from sources including allocations, grants made or loans advanced by the Government of Sindh or the Federal Government. Part V of the Act highlights mechanisms for enforcement as well as prohibitions.
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Hazardous Substances Rules Sindh 2014
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. The Rules specify substances prescribed as hazardous substances, and highlight the mechanism for application of licence to import or transport a hazardous substance. The environmental impact assessment accompanying an application for grant of licence shall be prepared, scrutinised, reviewed and decided in accordance with the provisions of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency. Moreover, the Act also lays down conditions for grant of a licence. Packing and labelling protocols for hazardous substances have been outlined in Section 9 of the Rules. General safety precautions pertaining to hazardous substances have been elaborated upon in Section 11.
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Sindh Hospital Waste Management Rules 2014
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 3 states that every hospital owner, occupier, operator shall be responsible for the management of the hospital waste generated by it till its final disposal in accordance with the provision of the Act and these rules. Section 4 sets out a Hospital Waste Management Plan based on internationally or nationally recognized environmental management practices, standards, which shall efficiently and effectively address the hospital waste. The Rules elaborate on waste disposal, accidents and spillages, immunisation, and inspection.
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Sindh Laboratory Certification Rules 2014
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 3 sets out the functions of an environmental laboratory. The perusant sections highlight the mechanism for an application of certification that can be moved by any laboratory to certify as environmental laboratory, the criteria for certification, scrutiny of application in addition to decision on application has been discussed. Section 9 highlights the conditions of certification at length, while Section 10 touches upon validity of certification and Section 11 talks about the bar to function without certification.
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Sindh Prohibition of non-degradable plastic products (Sale and Manufacturing Rules 2014)
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 3 states that all manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of oxo-biodegradation plastic products and pro- degradant additive shall get themselves registered with the Agency within a period of three months from the date of commencement of these rules in such manner or on such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Director General. Section 5 states that all scheduled plastic products made with oxo-biodegradable plastic and all packaging in which such products offered for sale, shall be prominently marked “Oxo-biodegradable” and shall bear the identifying mark or logo of the supplier of the prodegradant additive. Section 6 highlights the functions and powers of the Authorised Officer.
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Sindh Sustainable Development Funds Rules
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 3 highlights the protocols for the meeting of the board which shall take place at least once in each quarter. Section 4 states that an agenda listing the matters or business to be brought before the meeting, along with an explanatory memorandum or working paper for each matter prepared by the proposers, shall be communicated in writing to the members by the Secretary along with the notice of the date and place of the meeting. Section 6 states that the board shall make every effort to take decisions by consensus, failing which decision shall be taken by majority of votes. The pursuant sections elaborate on filling of project proposals.
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SEPA Review of Initial Environmental Examination and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2014
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 3 states that all industrial units shall be responsible for correct and timely submission of Environmental Monitoring Reports to the Agency. The pursuant sections pertain to classification of industrial units, on the basis of the pollution level of an industrial unit, the Director General is to classify the unit into category “A”, “B” or “C” for liquid effluents, and category “A” or “B” for gaseous emissions. Section 9 highlights the contents of an environmental monitoring report.
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The Sindh Environmental Quality Standards (Self-Monitoring and Reporting by Industries) Rules 2014
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 3 states that all industrial units shall be responsible for correct and timely submission of Environmental Monitoring Reports to the Agency. Section 4 classifies the industrial units on the basis of the pollution level of an industrial unit, the Director General shall classify the unit into category “A”, “B” or “C” for liquid effluents, and category “A” or “B” for gaseous emissions. Section 9 elaborates over the contents of the environmental monitoring unit.
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The Environmental Samples Rules 2014
The Rules have been formulated by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency under powers granted by Section 36 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014. Section 4 of the Rules pertain to entry and inspection mechanism for entering any place where the authorised person shall place record in writing the reasonable grounds leading him to believe that an offence under the Act has been or is being committed therein. Section 5 lays down the process of search, provisions contained in sections 102 and 103 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) are to apply under this rule. The Rules further elaborate on the procedure for taking samples, dispatch of samples, and test and analysis of samples.
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