September 13, 2026

Section 12 – Environment Protection Act: Environmental Laboratories

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — back to Table of Contents

Section 12. Environmental laboratories

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,—

  • (a) establish one or more environmental laboratories;
  • (b) recognise one or more laboratories or institutes as environmental laboratories to carry out the functions entrusted to an environmental laboratory under this Act.

(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules specifying—

  • (a) the functions of the environmental laboratory;
  • (b) the procedure for the submission to the said laboratory of samples of air, water, soil or other substance for analysis or tests, the form of the laboratory report thereon and the fees payable for such report;
  • (c) such other matters as may be necessary or expedient to enable that laboratory to carry out its functions.

Note: The Central Government has delegated its powers under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of this section and section 13 to the Central Pollution Control Board.