The salient features

(a) The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps or any other healthcare activity;

(b) Phase-out the use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags within two years;

(c) Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection orsterilisation on-site in the manner as prescribed by WHOor NACO;

(d) Provide training to all its health care workers and immunise all health workers regularly;

(e) Establish a Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal;

(f) Report major accidents;

(g) Existing incinerators to achieve the standards for retention time in secondary chamber and Dioxin and Furans within two years;

(h) Bio-medical waste has been classified in to 4 categories instead 10 to improve the segregation of waste at source;

(i) Procedure to get authorisation simplified. Automatic authorisation for bedded hospitals. The validity of authorization synchronised with validity of consent orders for Bedded HCFs. One time Authorisation for Non-bedded HCFs;

(j) The new rules prescribe more stringent standards for incinerator to reduce the emission of pollutants in environment;

(k) Inclusion of emissions limits for Dioxin and furans;

(l) State Government to provide land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility;

(m) No occupier shall establish on-site treatment and disposal facility, if a service of 'common bio-medical waste treatment facility is available at a distance of seventy-five kilometer.

(n) Operator of a common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility to ensure the timely collection of bio-medical waste from the HCFs and assist the HCFs in conduct of training