BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 – A joint environmental committee of the Ministry of Industry and the Federation of Thai Industries has planned to develop an environmental rating system for factories as a way to urge business operators to be environmentally conscious.
The campaign intends to reward factories that employ efficient environmental management with business incentives, such as faster license renewal. Factories classified as low risk currently number around 3,000.
Regulators will map out guidelines for factories that are considered high risk for environmental impact. They will also organize training for environmental personnel to improve their knowledge. The measure will first be carried out in provinces with a high degree of vegetation, including Rayong, Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao.
Industries regarded as posing pollution problems are those discharging waste water of over 500 cubic meters or releasing heavy metals during production, as well as those required to submit annual environmental impact and waste disposal reports.
A committee tasked with assessing factories will be established within a year.
