Guidelines for Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities(CBWTF), 2025

INTRODUCTION

With the rapid expansion of healthcare services and the adoption of advanced medical practices, the volume of biomedical waste being generated has seen a significant rise. This growing challenge underscores the urgent need for environmentally sound and efficient waste management systems. Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (CBWTFs) have emerged as a critical solution centralizing treatment processes, optimizing operational costs, and ensuring strict adherence to environmental and public health regulations.

CBWTFs operate under the purview of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (BMWM), as amended, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India. Additionally, compliance with the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is mandatory too.

Marking a progressive step beyond the 2016 framework, the 2025 Guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board on 12th April, 2025 emphasizes localized infrastructure planning, data-driven operational strategies, enhanced environmental safeguards, and a shift toward decentralized regulatory governance. Together, these measures aim to modernize biomedical waste management across India ensuring robust infection control, operational efficiency, and consistent regulatory compliance.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE GUIDELINES

1.     Standardized Methodology for Gap Analysis

A major inclusion in the 2025 guidelines is the introduction of a uniform methodology for conducting gap analysis, presented in Appendix I. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) are now mandated to carry out a detailed coverage area-wise gap analysis every five years. This analysis includes data on the number of healthcare facilities (HCFs), bed count, biomedical waste generation, existing treatment capacity, and projections for the next ten years. This standardized format ensures consistent, evidence-based planning across all states and union territories, helping identify the need for new CBWTFs or expansion of existing ones, thereby eliminating ambiguities prevalent in earlier assessments.

2.     Restriction on Captive Facilities

The guidelines reinforce the importance of centralized biomedical waste treatment by restricting captive treatment facilities exclusively to remote or hilly regions. This change discourages fragmentation of waste management and supports the goal of developing robust, centralized infrastructure with better monitoring and compliance. In areas where a centralized CBWTF is not feasible due to geographic constraints, captive facilities may still be permitted with SPCB/PCC approval.

3.     Operational Flexibility and Emergency Preparedness

A significant operational requirement introduced in the revised guidelines is the need for all CBWTF operators to enter into MoUs with at least two nearby CBWTFs. This ensures the continuity of waste treatment services in the event of a temporary closure due to breakdowns or violations. Where alternate CBWTFs are not available in proximity, the operator must install standby treatment equipment equal to their approved treatment capacity. These measures safeguard against service disruption and reinforce the critical 48-hour disposal rule under the BMWM Rules.

4.     Decentralized Decision

Under the revised guidelines, the authority to approve new CBWTFs or expansions of existing ones has been fully delegated to the SPCBs and PCCs. Unlike the 2016 guidelines, which required referrals to the CPCB for decisions relating to buffer zones and land relaxation, the 2025 guidelines entrusts regional bodies with complete discretion. This shift accelerates the approval process and allows for more responsive planning based on localized data. Additionally, local authorities are no longer empowered to allocate sites; all decisions must now be grounded in the findings of the gap analysis and compliance with the BMWM Rules, 2016.

5.     Revised Criteria for Land Use and Buffer Zones

The updated guidelines eliminate the need for CPCB intervention in decisions related to buffer zones. SPCBs and PCCs now have full authority to determine the adequacy of buffer distances between CBWTFs and residential or sensitive areas, provided they enforce necessary control measures. In cases where land relaxation is sought such as in urban areas with populations exceeding 25 lakh or in rural zones the revised guidelines mandate consultation with the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) or the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), ensuring greater transparency and environmental due diligence.

6.     Infrastructure and Technical Provisions

The 2025 guidelines bring crucial enhancements to the technical and infrastructural aspects of biomedical waste management, particularly in the areas of waste collection, transportation, and disposal.

A.   Collection and Transportation

Significant revisions have been made to vehicle labelling standards to improve visibility, traceability, and regulatory compliance. All vehicles registered after June 2025 for the collection and transportation of biomedical waste must adhere to the following requirements:

• Color: The vehicle body must be painted white.

• Biohazard Symbol: A prominently displayed biohazard symbol must appear in red or black.

• Operator Details: The name, address, and contact number of the CBWTF operator must be printed in green, along with the phrase “CBWTF authorized by [Name of SPCB/PCC].”

• Proportional Sizing: The biohazard symbol must be at least one-fourth the height of the vehicle, and the font size for the text must be one-eighth of the vehicle’s height (e.g., for a 6-foot vehicle, the symbol must be 18 inches high and the font at least 6 inches).

• GPS Tracked Vehicles: Transportation vehicle shall be fitted with GPS to track the movement of the vehicle.

• Existing Vehicles: Vehicles already in operation must also comply by displaying the required details on a white background.

These specifications, detailed in Annexure VII, aim to ensure standardized presentation across all CBWTF transport vehicles, thereby improving both public awareness and enforcement.

B.    Treatment and Disposal

The 2025 guidelines prioritize safety and hygiene in biomedical waste disposal by introducing stricter protocols for handling sharps waste. All sharps, including needles and syringes, must now undergo mandatory pre-treatment through either autoclaving or dry heat sterilization. Post-sterilization, the waste must be physically destroyed through shredding or mutilation to prevent any risk of reuse.

While these procedures for sharps waste have been strengthened, the guidelines do not introduce changes to existing protocols related to air emission standards, validation tests for treatment technologies (e.g., autoclaving, microwave, or chemical disinfection), or prescribed logbooks for maintaining operational data. These elements remain in force from earlier provisions and continue to support safe and effective facility operations.

7.     Documentation And Reporting

The 2025 guidelines introduce subtle yet impactful changes to the documentation and data reporting obligations for CBWTFs. While easing some administrative burdens, they continue to emphasize accuracy and traceability through structured records.

• Retention of Record-Keeping Formats: All formats and templates related to data recording such as vehicle usage logs, treatment and disposal registers, and performance evaluation checklists remain mandatory. These documents serve as key evidence of regulatory compliance and operational efficiency, and must be maintained for periodic audits by SPCBs or PCCs.

• New Annexure VII Introduced: To support the revised vehicle labelling requirements, the guidelines include Annexure VII, which offers detailed instructions and pictorial representations for the correct display of biohazard symbols, operator credentials, and vehicle markings.

• Standardized Gap Analysis through Appendix I: A significant addition is Appendix I, which prescribes a uniform methodology for conducting gap analyses. This appendix outlines parameters such as waste generation projections, treatment capacity, and coverage area assessment, ensuring consistent and reliable planning across states.

8.     Environmental And Regulatory Compliance

The 2025 guidelines continue to reinforce the importance of strong environmental safeguards and strict regulatory enforcement. CBWTFs are expected to operate with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and maintaining compliance with the BMWM Rules, 2016. Key compliance mandates include:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD): Facilities must ensure that no untreated effluents are released into the environment.

• Odour and Emission Control: Measures must be in place to prevent nuisance from odour and ensure emissions remain within the permissible limits.

• Continuous Monitoring: Regular monitoring of incineration emissions, particularly for dioxins and furans, must be carried out in accordance with standards set by the CPCB.

The guidelines also stress the role of SPCBs/PCCs in validating all operational processes, from segregation and collection to treatment and final disposal. Furthermore, the coordination between healthcare facilities and CBWTFs is to be strengthened to ensure:

• Proper segregation of biomedical waste at the source,

• Timely and safe collection and transportation,

• Accurate reporting and traceability of waste streams.

These provisions collectively aim to uphold high standards of environmental integrity and public health protection across the biomedical waste management chain.

CONCLUSION

The 2025 Guidelines for Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities marks a significant advancement in India’s biomedical waste management landscape. By fostering centralized treatment systems, empowering regional authorities, and incorporating data-driven planning and environmental accountability, these guidelines establish a robust framework for protecting public health and the environment. Through consistent implementation, India is well-positioned to manage biomedical waste safely, sustainably, and in full compliance with national standards.

The article was authored by Ms. Pranshu Singh(Senior Associate) and Ms. Aditi Kumar, (Associate).