In 2025 classifications are often based on pollution potential, as exemplified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India. These classifications, such as Red, Orange, Green, White, and Blue, are used for environmental management and regulatory oversight.

In 2025  classifications are often based on pollution potential, as exemplified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India. These classifications, such as Red, Orange, Green, White, and Blue, are used for environmental management and regulatory oversight. Additionally, industries are also categorized by their economic sector, such as primary (extraction), secondary (manufacturing), and tertiary (services). 

Pollution-Based Classification:

Red:

Industries with high pollution potential, such as those using coal, biomass, or liquid fuels. 

Orange:

Industries with moderate pollution potential, including sectors like Chlor-alkali units. 

Green:

Industries with low pollution potential. 

White:

Industries with practically no pollution, like solar power generation or certain manufacturing processes. 

Blue:

Industries that contribute to environmental management, such as landfill maintenance and waste-to-energy plants. 

Economic Sector Classification:

Primary: Industries involved in extracting raw materials, such as mining and agriculture. 

Secondary: Industries that manufacture goods, such as factories and construction. 

Tertiary: Industries that provide services, such as retail, healthcare, and education. 

Quaternary: Industries involved in information technology and research. 

Quinary: Industries focused on high-level decision-making and leadership. 

Additional Classifications:

MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises): Classified by investment and turnover limits, providing benefits like access to loans and government schemes. 

Ownership: Classified as private, state-owned, joint, or cooperative sector. 

Use-Based: Classified as primary goods, capital goods, intermediate goods, and infrastructure goods. 

Key Points:

The CPCB introduced a revised methodology for classifying industrial sectors based on their pollution potential in 2025. 

This classification system includes Red, Orange, Green, White, and Blue categories. 

The new classification also introduces incentives for units that adopt environmental-friendly practices. 

Industries are also classified by economic sector (primary, secondary, tertiary, etc.) and by other factors like ownership and size.