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New Delhi,19^th April 2010:“Workshop On Accreditation of Environment Impact Assesment Consultant Organizations” brought into sharp focus of the initiative of Quality Council of India to create awareness on the relevance of the EIA consultant accreditation process and procedure, in view of the EIA(Environment Impact Assessment) notification by Ministry of Environment and Forest vide Circular No. J-11013/77/2004-IA II (I), which clearly laid down that, to enhance the quality of EIA Reports which has a direct impact on the improved decision making process,  no EIA/EMP reports prepared by such Consultants who are not registered with NABET/QCI shall be considered by the Ministry after 30^thJune,2010.

Topics covered at the Workshop included

• EIA Notification Sept. 14, 2006 and its subsequent Amendments
• QCI-NABET Scheme for accreditation of EIA Consultant Organizations
  • Requirements
  • Application Process
• Ambient Air Quality Standards - synopsis
• Essential elements of an EIA report

The workshop was addressed by representatives from Ministry of Environment & Forest and Industry/ Industry Associations. Some of the prominent speakers at the venue included Dr.Prodipto Ghosh, Chairman, Environment Impact Assessment, Accreditation Committee, Dr. P.B. RASTOGI (IA-II)-MoEF,Mr. K. P. Nyati, Members, EIA Technical Committee and the Secretary General of Quality Council of  India  Dr. Giridhar J Gyani.

 

The QCI-NABET Scheme for accreditation of EIA Consultant Organizations has been prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF), Government of India, keeping in view the EIA Notification of Sep 14, 2006.

 

On this occasion Dr Giridhar J Gyani observed “The accreditation of  EIA consultant organization scheme will  ensure credibility of EIA report submitted to the MOEF. The  EIA consultant organization  scheme developed by NABET is driven by transparency  and renders the EIA consultant organization more competent to discharge their duties in a effective manner”

 

Transparency of through accreditation mechanism and render the consultant organization more competent to

 

Accreditation of EIA consultant being a Multi disciplinary process only “ORAGANIZATION” would be accredited, not individuals . The Central person – EIA Coordinator must have sectoral knowledge and associated environmental aspects .The EIA coordinator will get inputs from the Functional Area Experts like Land Use,  Water Quality, Air Quality, Ecology, Socio-economy etc,

 

 

 

which he would collate and analyze to develop the Impact Assessment and the Management Plan. The organization should have its own laboratory or tie up with a laboratory, which has adequate instruments/equipment and competent staff to develop dependable base line data .No categorization in the accreditation system has been envisaged.

 

Based on the requirements of an EIA Report following Functional Area’s have been identified by the Ministry of Environment and Forest:

 

1. Land Use
2. Air Pollution Prevention, Monitoring & Control
3. Meteorology, Air Quality Modeling and Prediction
4. Water Pollution Prevention, Control and Prediction of Impacts
5. Ecology and Diversity
6. Noise and Vibration
7. Socio-Economic Aspect
8. Hydrology, Ground Water and Water Conservation
9. Geology and Soil
10. Risk Assessment and Hazard Management
11. Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Management
12. Energy Management & Clean Development Mechanism (proposed)

 

Accreditation shall be given for a period of 3 years and the assessment process is as follows:

 

1. Initial Accreditation

 

Stage – I   :     Completeness of Application by NABET Secretariat

Stage – II  :     Desktop Assessment of application and documents by NABET Assessor

Stage – III :     Office Assessment and Interview by NABET Assessors

 

1. Continuance of Accreditation

            Surveillance Assessment by NABET Assessors at the end of year 1 and year 2

 

1. Re-assessment

            After 3 years, similar process as initial accreditation process

 

Consultants would be categorized as per their capabilities (A & B) to do EIAs for projects as defined in their Notification of Sep 2006. EIA is a multidisciplinary activity requiring requisite knowledge level and infrastructural support. The accreditation process is necessary and will help identify the loop holes in an Environment Impact Assessment Report , analyze the gaps and guide in capacity building process, in turn contribute in decision making process in the larger interest of the nation.

 

About Quality Council of India

Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous non-profit organtzation set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the nodal department for all matters connected with Quality and QCI.

QCI is governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representation of Government,

Industry and Consumers. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister's Office.

 

 

 

Current focus areas of the Council are:

Industry

Education

Public Services

Healthcare

 

 

VISION

To be amongst the world's leading national apex quality facilitation, accreditation and surveillance organizations, to continuously improve the climate, systems, processes and skills for total quality.

 

MISSION

To help India achieve and sustain total quality and reliability, in all areas of life, work, environment, products and services, at individual, organizational, community and societal levels.

 

OBJECTIVES OF QCI

Establish and maintain an Accreditation Structure in the country

Provide right and unbiased information on Quality & related standards

Spread Quality Movement in India

Represent India's interest in international forums

Help establish brand equity of Indian products and services

 

For further information please contact

 

Director

National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET)

Quality Council of India

2nd Floor, Institution of Engineers Building,

Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110 002

Tel: (011) 2337 9321, 2337 0567, Fax: (011) 2337 9621, 

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Sunil Singh

SS Public Relations

Mobile: +91 9899161154

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