EHS

Procedure for Transportation of Hazardous Waste in India

Shreya Jain Shreya Jain
Shreya Jain

Published on: Nov 3, 2025

Deepti Mudgal
Deepti Mudgal

Updated on: Nov 3, 2025

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Introduction

Proper handling of hazardous waste is a critical environmental and safety responsibility governed by the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, alongside provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste shall follow a regulated procedure to prevent risks to human health and the environment.

This procedure outlines the procedural steps involved in Transportation of hazardous waste in India.

Applicable Provisions:

  1. Rule 17 and Rule 18 of Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
  2. Rule 129 of The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
  3. Motor Vehicle Act, 1988

Mandatory Requirements:

  1. Authorization shall be obtained from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC).
  2. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from both the origin and destination State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
  3. Transport Emergency Card.

Procedure

Authorization– Before engaging in any aspect of hazardous waste management whether collection, treatment, processing, packaging, transport, sale or disposal authorization shall be obtained from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC).

To Obtain Authorization:

  1. Apply using Form 1
  2. Ensure all activities are carried out at an authorized facility
  3. For inter-state transport for recycling or utilization, No Objection Certificate (NOC) from both the origin and destination SPCBs.

Transportation

  1. Packaging of Hazardous Waste: Safe packaging is essential to prevent spillage, leakage or contamination during storage and transport.
    Packaging Requirements:
    • Waste shall be packed in containers appropriate to the waste type and robust enough to last at least six months.
    • Containers shall be sealed tightly to avoid leakage
    • Packaging shall adhere to guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  2. Labelling of Hazardous Waste: Labelling ensures that the nature of the waste is clearly identified, allowing for safe handling, emergency response.
    • Shall conform to Form 8 (Container labelling) and Form 12 (Vehicle labelling)
    • Labels shall be Weatherproof, Non-washable and Easily visible.
    • Containers that contain hazardous waste shall be labelled with the words “HAZARDOUS WASTE” in Vernacular language, Hindi / English.
  3. Emergency Preparedness: The transporter shall carry relevant information via Form 9 (Hazardous Waste Movement Document) (TREM Card). These forms outline the hazardous nature of the waste and the emergency response measures.
  4. Manifest System (Movement Document to be used within the country only) The occupier shall prepare six copies of the Manifest in Form 10 comprising of color code indicated below and all six copies shall be signed by the transporter.
Copy number with color code Purpose
Copy 1 (White) To be forwarded by the occupier to the State Pollution Control Board Committee.
Copy 2 (Yellow) To be carried by the occupier after taking signature on it form the transporter and the rest of the four copies to be carried by the transporter.
Copy 3 (Pink) To be retained by the operator.
Copy 4 (Orange) To be return to the transporter by the operator of the facility / recycler after accepting waste.
Copy 5 (Green) To be return by the operator of the facility to State Pollution Control board/Committee after treatment and disposal of the waste.
Copy 6 (Blue) To be return by the operator of the facility to the occupier after treatment and disposal of hazardous materials/wastes.
  1. Occupier- Waste Generator
  2. Transporter- Transports
  3. Waste Operator- Co Processor/Recycler

Note: Cross-State Movement:

  1. For final disposal in another state: Obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from both the origin and destination SPCBs
  2. For recycling or utilization: Notify both SPCBs before transportation
  3. For transit through third-party states: Provide prior intimation to the respective State Pollution Control Boards.
  4. Transporter should have valid “Pollution under Control Certificate” (PUCC) during the transportation of hazardous waste and shall be properly displayed.
  5. Informing SPCB/PCC, or local authority, occupier / operator of a facility, and others concerned immediately in case of spillage, leakage or other accidents during transportation

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