License ยท Factory License
Factory License Maharashtra
Factories Act licensing through the Maharashtra Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health.
What is Factory License Maharashtra?
In Maharashtra, Factory Licences are administered by the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), covering the state's large and diverse manufacturing base across Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Aurangabad โ one of the busiest factory-licensing regimes in India given Maharashtra's industrial scale.
DISH Maharashtra's high application volume, spread across chemical, pharma, engineering, and general manufacturing units in some of India's densest industrial corridors, has translated into a relatively mature, well-documented process compared to less industrially dense states โ though the same volume means facilities with incomplete documentation or unclear MPCB coordination can face longer queues. Units in MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) estates typically need their factory licence application to align with the estate's own allotment conditions.
Who Needs It
Key Benefits
Documents Required
- Site/building plan and land/MIDC allotment documents
- MPCB CTE/CTO consent (as a supporting NOC)
- List of machinery and manufacturing process details
- Details of installed horsepower and proposed worker strength
- Hazardous-process/safety documentation, for chemical and pharma units
- Stability certificate from a competent structural engineer, where prescribed for the building
- Occupier and manager details with proof of their appointment
- ESI and EPFO registration proof for the establishment
Our Process
Plan & NOC Coordination
We coordinate building plan approval alongside MPCB consent and other required NOCs.
Documentation Compilation
We compile machinery, worker-strength, and site/MIDC documents against DISH's checklist.
Application Filing
The factory licence application is filed with DISH Maharashtra.
Inspection
An inspector verifies the facility, machinery, and safety arrangements against the application.
Inspection & Grant
Following inspection, the licence is granted, with annual renewal thereafter.
Renewal Tracking
We track the annual renewal, with fees updated against current worker count and installed power.
Validity & Renewal
DISH Maharashtra licences can be issued for a chosen validity of up to five years, with the fee payable scaling to the term selected โ a longer validity reduces how often the renewal filing needs to be repeated. Renewal should be filed well ahead of expiry; DISH's own guidance and consultant timelines vary from roughly 30 to 90 days ahead, so applicants are best advised to confirm the current window for their licence rather than assume a fixed number.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Since the Factories Act, 1948 is a central law, the penalty framework in Maharashtra is the same as nationally: operating without a valid licence, or otherwise contravening the Act, is punishable under Section 92 with imprisonment of the occupier and manager for up to two years, a fine of up to โน1,00,000, or both, with a further fine of up to โน1,000 per day for continued contravention after conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DISH's role versus MPCB's?
DISH governs factory/worker safety licensing under the Factories Act, while MPCB governs environmental consent โ both are typically required together for a manufacturing unit in Maharashtra.
Is a MIDC allotment the same as a factory licence?
No โ MIDC allotment secures the industrial plot itself, while the factory licence is a separate DISH approval to actually operate manufacturing on that plot, and both are needed.
Does Maharashtra's high application volume affect processing time?
It can โ well-prepared applications with complete documentation and MPCB coordination in place generally move faster through DISH's high-volume process than incomplete filings.
What triggers closer DISH scrutiny for a facility?
Chemical, pharma, and other hazardous-process units generally face more detailed safety review than general engineering or light manufacturing units, given the higher risk profile.
Can I choose how long my Maharashtra factory licence stays valid?
Yes โ DISH allows licences to be applied for with a validity of up to five years, with the fee scaling to the term chosen; opting for a longer term means fewer renewal cycles to track.
Are factory licence applications and renewals filed online in Maharashtra?
Yes โ DISH has moved factory licence grant and renewal filings to an electronic process, so applications, supporting documents, and fee payment are generally submitted through its online portal rather than in person.
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