In December 1997 Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA'97) was signed
and promulgated by the President of Pakistan. It provides for the protection,
conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, for the prevention
and control of pollution, and promotion of sustainable development. PEPA'97
covers nearly all issues from pollution generation to pollution prevention,
monitoring to confiscation, compliance to violation, and prosecution to penalization.
However, results of this legislation are subjected to virtuous and unadulterated
implementation.
Under section 12 of (PEPA) 1997 the proponent of a project is required to submit
to EPA an initial environmental examination (IEE) or where the project is likely
to cause an adverse environmental effect, an environmental impact assessment
(EIA) before the commencement of construction or operation activities. An IEE
or EIA has to be submitted for a new project, or if any major change / addition
in the process occur.
In August 1993 Federal Environmental Protection Agency established National
Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) for Pakistan. NEQS define maximum allowable
concentrations for 32 pollutants in municipal and liquid industrial effluents,
16 pollutants for industrial gaseous emissions, motor vehicle exhaust and noise.
Reacting on argument of the industrialists about strictness of the NEQS a committee
was constituted, including representatives of Trade and Industry, to revise
the Standards. Strict and impartial enforcement of NEQS by the Federal and Provincial
EPA's is an effective and wise long-term solution for combating the industrial
pollution and controlling marine pollution.
5. Self-Monitoring and Reporting by the Industries
Rules, 1999
Following the directions provided by PEPAct'97 Self-monitoring and Reporting
Guidelines are prepared after due consultation with industry. Under these guidelines
it is necessary for industries to maintain a complete record of the levels of
their emissions and discharges that should not exceed NEQS.
The Self-Monitoring and Reporting by Industry document consist of monitoring
and reporting instructions for industrial effluents and gaseous emissions. Supporting
guidelines for Sampling procedures have also been prepared.
The Sampling Procedures for Industrial Effluents presents general guidelines
and considerations so that effective sampling programs can be established for
varied situations. This document provide guidelines on location or sampling
points, frequency and sample type that are specified in other relevant documents.
Information regarding the methods of sampling, its handling, preservation and
transport and custody is clearly defined.
Pollution Charge is sort of a penalty and will be levied upon the quantity of
pollutant in excess to NEQS limits. The funds thus collected will be used as
a loan for the procurement of pollution control equipment and waste treatment
plants for the industries. This process will certainly help reducing the industrial
emissions and discharges and in the process will make our environment (air,
water and land) safer and cleaner.
These guidelines are to be complied by those laboratories who wish to get registered
by Federal Environmental Protection Agency or Provincial Environmental Protection
Agency. These guidelines details all the necessary requirements an authorize
laboratory must fulfill in order to carry out tests of parameters mentioned
in National Environmental Quality Standards.
