The following is a list of representative organizations that are in charge of environmental regulations in India.
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
- Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Science and Technology
- Ministry of Construction
- Ministry of Information and Communications
- Ministry of Finance
- General Department of Customs
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) is the central government responsible for overseeing the environmental sector, and was established in 2002 by upgrading the National Environment Agency, then a part of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, integrating the provincial level and other related organizations. One of the main tasks of MONRE is planning for the use of national land, and it is also responsible for education and awareness of national land laws and regulations. Also, under the Law on Environmental Protection, MONRE is responsible for air pollution, water resource management, and waste problems. In addition, it has recently taken the lead in implementing various measures in the country on international environmental issues such as greenhouse gas reduction, ozone depleting substances, and the Stockholm Convention.
Ministry of Industry and Trade
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is a central government ministry established in 2007 through the merger of the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry. The MOIT is responsible for industrial and trade matters, and has jurisdiction over the following industrial sectors: mechanical engineering, metals, electricity, new energy, renewable energy, oil and gas, chemicals, industrial explosives, mining, consumer industries, and food. It is also in charge of the domestic market and commercial transactions, international commercial transactions, import and export, and consumer protection.
Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs
The Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has jurisdiction over state administration of public services in the areas of workers, salaries, employment, social insurance, occupational health and safety, social security, children, and sexual equality. With regard to occupational safety and health, its main tasks include occupational accidents, occupational injury compensation, and hazardous and toxic occupational environment management.
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health(MOH) is responsible for state management of public services in the areas of preventive medicine, medical examination, treatment, rehabilitation, medical review, forensic medicine, traditional medicine, reproductive health, medical equipment, drugs, cosmetics, food safety, health insurance, and population and family planning. The Department of Health and Environmental Management, one of the internal bureaus of the MOH, is in charge of “Decree 91/2016/ND-CP on Control of Household and Medical Chemicals and Pesticides” and chemical exposure in workplaces.
Ministry of Transport
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is responsible for the state management of roads, railroads, inland waterways, sea and air transport and public services throughout the country, and has the functions of transport infrastructure, transport vehicles, vehicle driver training, transport service management, traffic safety, and state management of science and technology in the field of transport. The MOT has jurisdiction over emission standards for transport machinery such as cars and motorcycles. In addition, regulations related to dangerous goods transportation are also under the jurisdiction of the MOT.
Ministry of Science and Technology
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is responsible for state management of science and technology, including scientific research, technology development, innovation activities, development of scientific and technological potential, intellectual property, standards, metrology, quality control, nuclear power, radiation, and nuclear safety. The establishment of technical standards (QCVN) and national standards (TCVN) is also the role of the MOST.
Ministry of Construction
The Ministry of Construction (MOC) has jurisdiction over construction planning, building, construction investment activities, urban development, urban technical infrastructure and management of industrial parks, economic zones, high-tech parks, housing, offices, real estate markets, and building materials. In the environmental field, MOC is concerned with regulations on construction waste, energy conservation in buildings, and import control of asbestos materials.
Ministry of Information and Communications
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), on behalf of the government, is the policy-making and regulatory body in the areas of press, publishing, postal services, telecommunications, wireless, information technology, electronics, broadcasting, media, foreign intelligence, domestic intelligence, and the national information and communications infrastructure. It manages the related public services. It also plays a leading role in the development of safety standards for various types of information and communication equipment.
Ministry of Finance
General Department of Customs
The General Department of Customs is responsible for the effective management of import and export activities and international trade, as well as favorable conditions for the development of trade and production. When importing chemicals, it also works with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to verify the necessary licenses or permits. In addition, when there are ambiguities in the laws and regulations related to chemicals, it discusses them with the MOIT and formulates official documents on the points to be considered in their operation.
