CREP-its Concept and Achievements

Backgrounder

CREP (Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection) is a commitment for protection of environment for partnership and participatory action of the stakeholders i.e. industry, their associations and regulatory agencies. The Charter of CREP is a road map for progressive improvement in environment management systems. CREP is beyond compliance through adoption of clean technologies, commitment, voluntary initiatives of industry for responsible care and improvement in environmental management practices. CREP concept was introduced in the country during 2002-03.Specific progress have been made in various sectors as a part of CREP recommendation. For example:

(i) Strict standards for cement industries were notified which are being complied with;

(ii) 12 industry manufacturing caustic soda and chlorine gas have given commitment to convert Mercury Cell Process to Membrane cell by 2012. Membrane cell is clean technology.

A total of eight industry specific task forces have been constituted for implementation of CREP at National Level. These are:

1. Cement, Copper and Zinc Industry;

2. Thermal Power Plants and Iron and Steel Plants’

3. Pulp and Paper, Distillery and Sugar Industry;

4. Aluminium Industry;

5. Oil Refinery, and Petrochemical;

6. Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals and Dyes & Dye Intermediates;

7. Chlor-Alkali and Fertiliser Industry; and

8. Tanneries.

KP