Bangladesh MoEF releases draft Air Pollution Control Rules 2021 
NOTE:
On July 26, 2022, Bangladesh’s Ministry of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially published the Air Pollution (Control) Rules 2022. See more details in the following:
Bangladesh publishes Air Pollution Control Rules including emission standards for mobile and stationary sources
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) of Bangladesh released the draft Air Pollution Control Rules 2021, which aims to manage air pollution for environmental conservation and sustainable development on March 18, 2021 and is inviting public comments (the period of invitation is not clear, comments can be submitted to epc1moefcc@gmail.com). The draft Rules are regarded as subordinate regulations of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and its main provisions are as follows.
- The Rules stipulate environmental air quality standards (general standards), emission standards for vehicles, emission standards applicable to industries or projects, and odor standards (see the Annexes to the draft Rules).
- After the promulgation of the Rules, the Department of Environment (DoE) shall prepare a National Air Quality Management Plan that includes an organizational working framework and efficient management of indoor air quality. When preparing the National Air Quality Management Plan, the standards and methods specified in the Rules shall be followed.
- The DoE shall prepare and publish a list of industries, projects, and activities that are harmful to the environment and human health. For the industries and activities included in the list, the DoE shall establish emission standards and conditions for management as appropriate.
- In order to control air pollution from motor vehicles, the regulatory authority for motor vehicles (http://www.brta.gov.bd/) shall comply with the standards and control methods specified in the Rules and follow the work procedures recommended in the National Air Quality Management Plan.
- The DoE may inspect the emissions of motor vehicles and restrict the movement of old motor vehicles that give off emissions exceeding the standards. The DoE may also regulate and prohibit certain engines in order to enforce the standards and control methods specified in the Rules.
- Local government organizations, construction management authorities, and other relevant organizations shall comply with the standards and control methods specified in the Rules and follow the work procedures recommended in the National Air Quality Management Plan.
The Rules also provide for the prevention of air pollution from hazardous waste, excessive emissions of air pollutants, air quality monitoring and warning, data management, establishment of a national executive committee for air pollution control, measures to prevent damage to ecosystems caused by air pollution, awards for contributions to air pollution control, and penalties for violations.
The draft Rules can be downloaded from the following URL (in Bengali).
