What is "Environmental Audit"? Explain.

Environmental Audit is an independent assessment of an organization's compliance with Environmental laws and Rule and Regulations made thereunder. Rule 14 of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986 provides for the submission of environmental audit report. Accordingly, every person carrying on an industry, operation or process requiring consent under Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act or Section 23 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act or both or authorisation under the Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 is required to submit an environmental audit report in Form V (inserted in the Rules) for the financial year ending on 31st March every year on or before the 15th of May, beginning 1993 to the concerned State Pollution Control Board.