Factory licenses, pollution, GST
Category: Industry Packages. From ₹24,999. Typical timeline: 21–30 days.
Overview
The Manufacturing Package covers the heaviest licence load of any industry bundle — factory licensing, pollution control clearances, and labour registrations — so a new unit can move from construction to legal operation without a clearance being discovered missing during inspection.
Who needs it
- New manufacturing units at the pre-commissioning stage
- Units expanding capacity that need updated pollution consents
- Businesses hiring their first batch of factory workers and triggering PF/ESI thresholds
- Manufacturers who’ve been operating on outdated or expired clearances
Eligibility
- A factory or manufacturing unit using power-driven machinery and employing workers
- Confirmed industrial-zoning and building-plan approval for the premises
- Pollution category classification (Red/Orange/Green/White) determined by the nature of manufacturing
- Employee count crossing statutory thresholds for PF (20) and ESI (10) registration, where applicable
Documents required
- Land title/lease deed and building-plan approval
- Industrial zoning clearance from the local development authority
- Details of machinery, power load and manufacturing process (for pollution category classification)
- Employee headcount and wage details (for PF/ESI registration)
- Business PAN and constitution documents
Process
- Secure land-use & building approvals — Confirm industrial zoning and building-plan approval before applying for factory registration.
- Apply for Pollution Control clearances — File for Consent to Establish, then Consent to Operate once construction is complete.
- Register the factory & obtain labour licences — File for the factory licence and register for PF/ESI as soon as you start hiring.
- Maintain ongoing labour compliance — Keep wage registers, attendance and statutory returns current to avoid inspection penalties.
Government fees
- Factory licence: State-specific slab based on installed power/employee count
- Pollution Control Board Consent (CTE/CTO): Category-dependent — computed and quoted before filing
- PF/ESI registration: Nil — registration itself is free; contributions apply once operational
Professional fee
₹24,999 professional fee for the full bundle (factory licence + pollution clearances + PF/ESI registration), in addition to government fees shown above.
Timeline
21–30 working days, largely driven by Pollution Control Board consent processing timelines, which run in parallel with factory-licence and labour-registration filings.
Deliverables
- Factory licence under the state Factories Act
- Consent to Establish / Consent to Operate from the Pollution Control Board
- PF and ESI registration numbers
- A combined compliance calendar for licence renewals and labour returns
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate?
Consent to Establish is obtained before construction begins; Consent to Operate is obtained once the unit is built and ready to start production — both are issued by the State Pollution Control Board.
At what employee count do PF and ESI become mandatory?
PF registration is mandatory once you cross 20 employees; ESI is mandatory once you cross 10 employees in most states (thresholds can vary slightly by state).
Can I start production before the factory licence is issued?
No — operating without a valid factory licence is an offence under the Factories Act and risks a stop-order during inspection.
Common mistakes
- Starting construction before confirming industrial zoning, risking a building-plan rejection later
- Applying for Consent to Operate before construction is actually complete, causing a failed inspection
- Missing the PF/ESI registration threshold and registering late, which attracts backdated contribution demands
- Not renewing the factory licence or PCB consent on time, risking a stop-order
Penalties for non-compliance
- Operating without a valid factory licence: prosecution and stop-order under the Factories Act
- Operating without a valid Pollution Control Board consent: closure directions and penalties under the Water/Air Acts
- Late PF/ESI contributions: interest and damages under the EPF & MP Act / ESI Act
Legal references
- Factories Act, 1948 and applicable state Factories Rules
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
What will this cost you?
Adjust the options below for an instant, indicative estimate. Final pricing is confirmed once our team reviews your specific documents.
All catalogue prices are exclusive of GST. Tax (typically 18%) is calculated and added at checkout. Government fees vary by state and are confirmed before filing.
Packages for this service
Every tier includes the same filing accuracy and compliance review — the difference is turnaround priority, support access and how hands-on we are with your documents.
Indicative tiers — talk to us to confirm exact scope and pricing for your business.
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