Consent to Operate (CTO) Annual Filing Services

Introduction

Nobody can operate an industry that pollutes the environment unless they have gained permission from the SPCB. The approval is officially called Consent to Operate (CTO) which is granted under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981.

Even so, hiring a CTO is not something that can be done just once. According to environmental laws, industries have to submit a yearly report or fill out a required form. When this is not done, authorities may fine, suspend the consent or force the business to close. With our help, your CTO annual duties are handled in time and perfectly, ensuring your company keeps working without any issue.

What is meant by Consent to Operate Annual Filing?

All industries under the CTO of the State Pollution Control Board are required to submit their environmental data and compliance status every year.

It contains a description of the following:

• Pollution control steps are already taken.
• The process of handling hazardous waste
• Outputs of greenhouse gases
• How well effluent can be treated
• Environmental regulations.

The pollution control board inspects the report to check if the unit follows the requirements listed in its consent order.

Why is CTO Annual Filing Required?

• Legal Obligation:
  It is mandated in the CTO document according to the listed requirements. Anyone who does not submit information is seen as breaking environmental laws.
• Continuation of operations:
  If people fail to file their taxes or do so incorrectly, they may face:
  • Disposal of CTO should not continue.
  • You should be aware of the show cause notices.
  • Heavy penalties
  • Ending the operator’s permission to function
• The process of transparently recording information is important.
• Annual reports allow the authorities to monitor environmental records and make certain that pollution standards are observed by industries.
• Making Readiness for Renewal
  When documents are filed correctly, the rest of the CTO renewal process runs much more smoothly.

Eligibility Criteria

Several kinds of entities have to submit CTO Annual Returns:

• Manufacturing Units
• Service Industries
• Places such as hotels, hospitals and malls are always included.
• Plants for handling waste such as ETPs, STPs and Incinerators
• Construction Projects
• The handling of hazardous wastes.

If you are holding a CTO, you must file your reports at least once a year, no matter what industry you are in.

Documents Required

This is a list of the usual documents companies need for CTO annual filing:

• Your CTO Certificate is valid because it was given by SPCB.
• Information about the use and release of water
• Stack emission monitoring data
• Hazardous waste disposal records include Forms 3, 4 and 10.
• Bio-Medical Waste Rules have an annual return requirement which is only applicable where these rules apply.
• Report on Solid Waste Management
• Figures about ETP/STP performance
• Certificates outlining the proper functioning of pollution control devices
• An environmental audit report will be prepared if needed.
• Aadhar and PAN card of the authorized person
• Factory/Udyam/MSME permission or registration
• In case there was an earlier election during the previous year, the CTO filing for that year.

Please note that the required documents may change from one state to another.

Step-by-Step Process

We practice a regulated and compliance-centred way of working.

• Step 1: You should assess your situation
  We check your current CTO and verify compliance clauses to get an overview of the rules.
• Step 2: Collect the data needed
  We talk to the facility managers, lab in-charges or environmental officers to access the needed technical information.
• Step 3: Filling out the Annual Return
  We put together an in-depth review that covers how much waste is produced, how it is treated, the emissions released and the platforms used to manage them properly.
• Step 4: You should review and verify all the information
  Our Experts study the filings to confirm that they match and fit with previous documents as well as the requirements set in the CTO.
• Step 5: Online Submission
  Filing your annual return is done using the SPCB online portal such as OCMMS, XGN or the state’s own system.
• Step 6: Acknowledgment and record maintenance
  Your submission is acknowledged with a letter and the file is saved by us for future audits and due dates.

Timeline

CTO annual filing should be completed within the guidelines set by each state which are generally:

• The process of preparation and data gathering lasts for about 5–7 working days.
• It takes 3–5 working days to draft and review your purchase invoice.
• The final stage takes 1–2 days.
• The process takes between 7 and 14 working days as long as the required documents and information are given promptly.

Fee and pricing considerations

Government Charges:

• Most Special Purpose Corporate Bodies do not require you to pay for annual filing. Nevertheless, there could be penalties for late submissions.

Users pay a professional fee to cover the following:

• Reviewing the data and checking it complies with rules
• The company needs to prepare the CTO annual return.
• Submitting documents on the state’s official website
• Confirm the recognition with an email or a call.
• Advice on how to follow the law

The usual fee is between ₹3,000 and ₹15,000.
The requirements (may vary) based on both the industry’s size and how complex it is.

The penalties for not complying with the rules

If annual reports for CTO are not filed on time, several consequences may occur.

• Accusing parties could receive jail time, fines up to ₹1 lakh or both
• Notice that the CTO has been canceled
• Late CTO renewal
• Charges applied to help the environment
• The use of blacklisting when making procurement decisions
• Associating with an entity that breaches EPA, Water and Air Acts

For this reason, it is necessary to file your tax documents as scheduled and accurately every year.

Why Choose Us?

When it comes to environmental compliance, we at Certilize stand by your side faithfully. Our ability to satisfy their needs is why industries count on us.

• Ability to Handle Environment Laws
  Familiarity with Several States’ Pollution Control Boards (such as XGN, OCMMS, DPCC, TNPCB, WBPCB, etc.)
• Every file is filled out correctly.
  Frequent, up to date reminders for following regulations
• Pricing that is Easy to Understand
  The platform allows CTO, CTE, EPR and HWM filings to be made all in one place.
• A Compliance Manager who is fully committed to the task
  We make the complicated part of the process simple and fuss-free for your team.