Following are the salient features of the Environmental Protection Act:

Measures to protect and improve environment:

1. planning and execution of a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution;
2. laying down standards for the quality of environment in its various aspects;
3. laying down standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources whatsoever;
4. restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards;
5. laying down procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause environmental pollution and remedial measures for such accidents;
6. laying down procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances;
7. examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and substances as are likely to cause environmental pollution;
8. carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of environmental pollution;
9. inspection of any premises, plant, equipment, machinery, manufacturing or other processes, materials or substances;
10. establishment or recognition of environmental laboratories and institutes to carry out the functions entrusted to such environmental laboratories and institutes under this Act;
11. collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters relating to environmental pollution;
12. preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution

Power to give directions:

Central Govt shall have the power to direct

1. the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process; or
2. stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.

Rules to regulate environmental pollution:

There may be rules to made or altered in the following matters:

1. the standards of quality of air, water or soil for various areas and purposes;
2. the maximum allowable limits of concentration of various environmental pollutants (including noise) for different areas;
3. the procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances;
4. the prohibition and restrictions on the handling of hazardous substances in different areas;
5. the prohibition and restriction on the location of industries and the carrying on process and operations in different areas;
6. the procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause environmental pollution and for providing for remedial measures for such accidents.