Environmental Audit Checklist | Environmental Compliance Audit Report

For auditing the environmental management system, following key checkpoints or requirement must be addressed in the Environmental Audit Checklist or Environmental Compliance Audit Report:

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance
• Waste Management
• Water & Effluent Management
• Air Emissions & Energy
• Chemical Storage & Handling
• Environmental Monitoring & Documentation

Legal & Regulatory Compliance Checklist

The environmental legal compliance audit checklist includes:

• Valid Consent to Operate (CTO) – Air, Water, and Hazardous Waste.
• Consent to Establish (CTE) is available and valid.
• Factory Licence.
• Fire NOC.
• Hazardous Waste Authorization obtained from SPCB.
• Environmental Clearance (EC) present, if applicable.
• Borewell or Groundwater extraction permission from CGWA or SPCB.
• Water Cess payment compliance (if applicable).
• Compliance with Plastic Waste Management Rules (if applicable).  
• Annual return submission of hazardous waste (Form 4).
• Submission of Environment Statement (Form V).
• Compliance with E-Waste Management Rules.

Waste Management Audit Checklist

• Hazardous waste stored in designated area with proper labeling and identification.
• Secondary containment provided for all hazardous waste storage.
• Waste disposed only through SPCB-authorized vendors.
• Manifest system used for hazardous waste tracking.
• Waste disposal records (Form 10) maintained properly.
• Segregation of solid waste (recyclable/non-recyclable/hazardous).
• ETP sludge and paint sludge disposed via authorized vendors.
• Bio-medical waste handled as per guidelines (if applicable).
• Non-hazardous waste sent to authorized recyclers.
• Recycling and reuse practices implemented where possible.  

Water & Effluent Management Checklist

• Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) operational.
• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) operational.
• Treated water quality within SPCB discharge norms.
• Flow meters installed for inlet and outlet of ETP.
• Regular third-party water testing reports available.
• Zero Liquid Discharge system in place (if applicable).
• Rainwater harvesting system implemented.
• Water conservation and reuse initiatives adopted.
• Drainage systems clean and without illegal connections.

Air Emissions & Energy Checklist

• Stack emission monitoring records available.
• Stack height as per prescribed CPCB norms.
• Air pollution control equipment (scrubbers, filters, etc.) maintained.
• DG sets with acoustic enclosures and valid stack height.
• Energy conservation measures (e.g., LED lights, VFDs) implemented.
• Ambient air quality monitoring record available.
• Fugitive dust control measures in place (e.g., sweeping, covering).
• No visible smoke or fumes at emission points.

Chemical Storage & Handling Checklist

• All chemical drums properly labeled with hazard class.
• MSDS available for all chemicals at site.
• Spill kits available and maintained near chemical/oil handling & storage areas.  
• Incompatible chemicals stored separately.
• Chemical storage area with secondary containment and ventilation.
• Fire extinguishers available near chemical storage area.

Environmental Monitoring & Documentation

The following key points must be addressed in Environmental checklist for environmental monitoring & documentation:

• Environmental Policy displayed and communicated to all interested parties.
• Internal environmental audits conducted at defined interval.
• Records of training for waste handling & environment safety.
• Emergency response plan for environmental incidents available.
• Mock drills for chemical spills/fire/emergency conducted at defined interval.
• Calibration records of pollution monitoring equipment.
• Contractor/vendor compliance with environmental policies.
• Green belt or tree plantation maintained as per requirement.
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance – include Carbon Emission Calculation.