Indonesia's New Textile Industry Wastewater Standards: Explaining PERMEN LH 12/2025

Executive Summary

On September 4, 2025, Indonesia's Ministry of Environment enacted PERMEN LH No. 12 of 2025 on Wastewater Quality Standards for Textile Business and/or Activities. Promulgated on September 9, 2025, this regulation establishes comprehensive discharge limits specifically tailored for the textile manufacturing sector, one of Indonesia's most significant industrial water users. The regulation replaces outdated provisions from 2014, introducing modern monitoring requirements and stricter parameter limits aligned with international best practices.

The regulation is significant because it addresses the textile industry's unique pollution profile, which includes organic pollutants, heavy metals from dyes and mordants, and complex chemical compounds from finishing processes. Textile wastewater is notoriously difficult to treat due to high color intensity, fluctuating pH levels, and the presence of persistent organic pollutants. PERMEN LH 12/2025 establishes 20 environmental parameters with varying monitoring frequencies, from continuous real-time tracking for pH and temperature to monthly testing for toxic heavy metals.

Key provisions include a dual treatment system framework allowing both standalone and integrated wastewater treatment plants, mandatory compliance before discharge to water bodies, and a 2-year transition period for existing facilities. The regulation applies universally to all textile businesses regardless of scale, eliminating previous exemptions and establishing clear accountability for environmental performance. Industries must now implement advanced monitoring systems and achieve stringent limits for parameters such as COD (100 mg/L), BOD (30 mg/L), chromium hexavalent (0.05 mg/L), and mercury (0.001 mg/L).

Background & Context

Indonesia's textile and garment industry is a cornerstone of the national economy, employing over 3.5 million workers and contributing significantly to export revenues. Major textile manufacturing clusters operate in West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Banten, processing millions of tons of fabric annually. These operations consume enormous quantities of water for dyeing, washing, bleaching, and finishing processes, generating wastewater streams characterized by high organic loads, intense color, elevated temperatures, and chemical complexity. Without proper treatment, textile effluents severely degrade receiving water bodies, causing eutrophication, aquatic toxicity, and aesthetic pollution.

Previous wastewater standards for textile industries were established under PERMEN LH No. 5 of 2014, which contained general provisions applicable across multiple industrial sectors. However, the 2014 regulation's textile-specific provisions (Annex XLII) became increasingly inadequate as the industry adopted new dyeing technologies, synthetic fiber processing, and chemical finishing methods. Environmental enforcement agencies observed widespread non-compliance, particularly among small and medium enterprises lacking technical capacity for advanced treatment. The need for updated, sector-specific standards became urgent as Indonesia committed to achieving water quality targets under the Sustainable Development Goals.

The regulatory evolution culminated in 2025 following comprehensive stakeholder consultations involving industry associations, environmental groups, and local governments. The Ministry of Environment conducted technical assessments of treatment technologies, international standard comparisons, and economic impact analyses to develop standards that balance environmental protection with industrial competitiveness. The new regulation reflects Indonesia's transition toward stricter environmental governance under the environmental protection framework established by PP 22/2021 on Environmental Protection and Management Implementation.

PERMEN LH 12/2025 was enacted under the authority of Law No. 39 of 2008 on State Ministries (as amended by Law No. 61 of 2024) and Presidential Regulation No. 182 of 2024 on the Ministry of Environment. The regulation explicitly revokes Pasal 16A and Annex XLII of PERMEN LH 5/2014, consolidating all textile wastewater standards into a single, modernized framework. The regulation took effect immediately upon promulgation and was published in the State Gazette (Berita Negara RI Tahun 2025 Nomor 679), establishing its legal enforceability nationwide.

Key Provisions

Regulatory Definitions and Scope

The regulation establishes foundational definitions that determine its application scope and compliance obligations. These definitional provisions are critical for interpreting substantive requirements.

Pasal 1 Ayat 1: Definisi Air Limbah

"Air Limbah adalah air yang berasal dari suatu proses dalam suatu kegiatan."

This provision defines wastewater as water originating from a process within an activity. The definition is deliberately broad, encompassing all water used in textile manufacturing processes including dyeing baths, washing cycles, bleaching operations, and finishing treatments. Unlike drinking water or process water, wastewater has been altered by contact with raw materials, chemicals, or products, acquiring pollutant characteristics that require treatment before environmental discharge. The regulatory definition excludes rainwater runoff and cooling water that has not contacted process chemicals.

Pasal 1 Ayat 2: Definisi Baku Mutu Air Limbah

"Baku Mutu Air Limbah adalah ukuran batas atau kadar unsur pencemar dan/atau jumlah unsur pencemar yang ditenggang keberadaannya dalam Air Limbah yang akan dibuang atau dilepas ke dalam media air dan tanah dari suatu usaha dan/atau kegiatan."

This provision defines wastewater quality standards as measurement limits or concentrations of pollutant elements that are tolerated in wastewater before discharge into water or soil media. The definition establishes that quality standards are mandatory maximum limits, not voluntary guidelines or targets. The phrase "yang ditenggang keberadaannya" (that are tolerated) indicates these are ceiling values that cannot be exceeded. Significantly, the definition applies to discharge into both water bodies and soil, addressing concerns about unauthorized land application of textile effluents.

Universal Compliance Obligation

The regulation establishes a comprehensive, non-discretionary obligation for all textile businesses to meet wastewater standards before environmental discharge.

Pasal 2 Ayat (1): Kewajiban Universal

"Setiap Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan tekstil yang menghasilkan Air Limbah wajib memenuhi Baku Mutu Air Limbah sebelum dibuang ke media air."

This provision mandates that every textile business and/or activity generating wastewater must meet quality standards before discharging into water bodies. The term "setiap" (every) eliminates all exceptions based on business scale, production volume, or geographic location. The phrase "wajib memenuhi" (obligated to meet) creates a legal duty enforceable through administrative sanctions and criminal penalties under environmental protection statutes. Critically, compliance must be achieved "sebelum dibuang" (before discharge), requiring treatment infrastructure to be operational whenever wastewater is generated. This provision effectively prohibits raw discharge of untreated textile wastewater under all circumstances.

Dual Treatment System Framework

The regulation recognizes that textile businesses operate under diverse circumstances, from large integrated mills to small dyeing workshops, and provides flexibility in treatment system configurations while maintaining stringent discharge standards.

Pasal 2 Ayat (2): Sistem Pengolahan

"Baku Mutu Air Limbah sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) diterapkan pada unit Pengolahan Air Limbah dengan sistem:

a. Tersendiri, tanpa menggabungkan dengan Pengolahan Air Limbah dari kegiatan lain; atau

b. Terintegrasi, melalui penggabungan dengan Air Limbah dari kegiatan lain ke dalam satu sistem Pengolahan Air Limbah."

This provision establishes two permissible treatment configurations: standalone systems and integrated systems. Standalone systems treat only textile wastewater without mixing with effluents from other industrial activities, providing dedicated treatment optimized for textile-specific pollutants. This approach is typical for large textile manufacturers with sufficient wastewater volumes to justify independent treatment infrastructure. Integrated systems combine textile wastewater with effluents from other sources into centralized treatment facilities, common in industrial estates where multiple businesses share infrastructure costs. The choice between systems affects compliance methodology but not the ultimate requirement to meet discharge standards.

Technical Standards by System Type

The regulation differentiates compliance requirements based on treatment system configuration, recognizing the distinct technical challenges of each approach.

Pasal 3 Ayat (1): Standar Sistem Tersendiri

"Ketentuan Baku Mutu Air Limbah dengan sistem tersendiri sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 2 ayat (2) huruf a tercantum dalam Lampiran I yang merupakan bagian tidak terpisahkan dari Peraturan Menteri/Badan ini."

This provision directs standalone treatment systems to comply with standards specified in Annex I, which forms an inseparable part of the regulation. Annex I contains a table of 20 parameters with maximum concentration limits, testing methods, and monitoring frequencies. For standalone systems, compliance is straightforward: effluent concentrations must not exceed the limits in Annex I when measured at the treatment plant discharge point. The phrase "bagian tidak terpisahkan" (inseparable part) establishes that Annex I has the same legal force as the main regulation text.

Pasal 3 Ayat (2): Standar Sistem Terintegrasi

"Ketentuan Baku Mutu Air Limbah dengan sistem terintegrasi sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 2 ayat (2) huruf b dilakukan perhitungan nilai Baku Mutu Air Limbah sebagaimana tercantum dalam Lampiran II yang merupakan bagian tidak terpisahkan dari Peraturan Menteri/Badan ini."

This provision requires integrated treatment systems to calculate wastewater quality standards using the methodology in Annex II. Unlike standalone systems with direct limit application, integrated systems must determine proportional responsibility for pollutant loads based on flow-weighted averages. Annex II provides formulas for calculating each contributor's discharge allocation, ensuring that shared treatment facilities maintain overall compliance while individual businesses remain accountable for their pollution contributions. This calculation-based approach prevents businesses from exploiting dilution effects in centralized systems.

Parameter Limits and Monitoring Requirements

Annex I establishes comprehensive technical standards covering the full spectrum of textile-related pollutants. The table below presents key parameters from the regulation:

These limits reflect modern understanding of aquatic toxicity and water quality protection. The COD limit of 100 mg/L and BOD limit of 30 mg/L require effective organic matter removal, typically achieved through biological treatment processes. Heavy metal limits are particularly stringent, with hexavalent chromium restricted to 0.05 mg/L due to its carcinogenic properties, and mercury limited to 0.001 mg/L reflecting its bioaccumulative toxicity. Color limits address aesthetic concerns and the persistence of synthetic dyes in aquatic environments.

Monitoring frequencies vary based on parameter stability and environmental significance. Continuous monitoring is required for pH and temperature because these parameters fluctuate rapidly and affect treatment process performance. Daily monitoring applies to organic pollutants (COD, BOD, TSS) and color, which vary with production schedules and chemical usage. Weekly monitoring covers heavy metals associated with dyeing operations, while monthly monitoring suffices for highly toxic metals like mercury and cadmium that are used less frequently. All testing must employ Indonesian National Standard (SNI) methods and be conducted by laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Committee (KAN).

Transition Period for Existing Facilities

Recognizing the significant capital investment required for treatment system upgrades, the regulation provides a defined transition period for existing textile businesses.

Pasal 4 Ayat (1): Periode Penyesuaian

"Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan tekstil yang telah memiliki Persetujuan Lingkungan dan/atau SPPL, wajib menyesuaikan ketentuan Baku Mutu Air Limbah sebagaimana diatur dalam Peraturan Menteri/Badan ini, paling lama 2 (dua) tahun terhitung sejak mulai berlakunya Peraturan Menteri/Badan ini."

This provision grants existing textile businesses holding Environmental Approval or SPPL permits a maximum of 2 years from the regulation's effective date (September 9, 2025) to achieve compliance with the new standards. The deadline falls on September 9, 2027. The phrase "wajib menyesuaikan" (obligated to adjust) indicates this is not an optional grace period but a mandatory compliance timeline. Businesses must use this period to conduct gap analyses, design treatment system upgrades, procure equipment, and conduct performance testing to demonstrate compliance before the deadline.

Pasal 4 Ayat (2): Mekanisme Perubahan Izin

"Penyesuaian ketentuan Baku Mutu Air Limbah sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) dilakukan melalui perubahan Persetujuan Lingkungan dan/atau SPPL sesuai dengan ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan."

This provision requires that compliance adjustments be formalized through amendments to existing Environmental Approval or SPPL permits. Businesses cannot simply upgrade treatment systems without updating their environmental permits to reflect new discharge limits and monitoring protocols. The permit amendment process involves submitting updated environmental management plans, treatment system designs, and monitoring protocols to regulatory authorities for technical review and approval. This administrative requirement ensures that upgraded systems are properly documented and subject to regulatory oversight.

Implementation & Compliance

PERMEN LH 12/2025 applies to all textile businesses operating in Indonesia, encompassing spinning mills, weaving factories, dyeing and printing operations, finishing plants, and integrated textile manufacturers. The regulation covers the entire textile value chain from fiber processing to finished garment production. Businesses are classified based on environmental impact assessment requirements: large-scale operations require Environmental Impact Assessments (AMDAL), medium-scale operations require Environmental Management and Monitoring Efforts (UKL-UPL), and small-scale operations require Environmental Management and Monitoring Capability Statements (SPPL). Regardless of classification, all must meet the same discharge standards.

Compliance mechanisms vary by treatment system type. For standalone systems, businesses must install wastewater treatment plants capable of reducing pollutant concentrations below Annex I limits. Typical treatment trains include screening and grit removal for large solids, flow equalization to manage hydraulic variations, chemical coagulation-flocculation for color and suspended solids removal, biological treatment for organic matter degradation, and advanced oxidation or membrane filtration for recalcitrant pollutants and heavy metals. Treatment systems must be designed for maximum production capacity, not average flows, to handle peak discharge events. Real-time monitoring systems must track pH and temperature continuously, with automated alarms triggering process adjustments or discharge shutdowns when exceedances occur.

For integrated systems, textile businesses contributing wastewater to centralized treatment facilities must document their discharge flow rates and pollutant concentrations at the point of entry to the shared system. Using the formulas in Annex II, proportional responsibility for the combined effluent quality is calculated based on each contributor's pollutant load. This requires individual flow meters and periodic sampling at each business's connection point. Shared treatment facility operators must maintain records demonstrating that the combined effluent meets discharge standards and that individual contributors are not exceeding their allocated pollutant loads. Cost-sharing agreements typically allocate treatment expenses based on proportional pollution contributions.

The Ministry of Environment serves as the primary implementing agency, supported by provincial and district environmental agencies with delegated enforcement authority. Environmental inspectors conduct periodic compliance audits, reviewing monitoring records, sampling effluents, and inspecting treatment infrastructure. Non-compliance triggers escalating enforcement responses: initial violations receive warning letters requiring corrective action plans, repeated violations incur administrative fines calculated based on pollution severity and economic benefit from non-compliance, and persistent violations result in permit suspension or revocation forcing operational shutdowns. Criminal penalties under environmental protection statutes apply to egregious violations causing significant environmental harm.

Businesses must submit monthly compliance reports to regulatory authorities documenting all monitoring results, treatment system performance, and any exceedance events with explanations and corrective actions taken. Annual environmental performance reports provide comprehensive assessments of wastewater generation, treatment efficiency improvements, resource recovery initiatives, and environmental management system certifications. Transparency requirements may mandate public disclosure of compliance data, enabling community oversight and reputational incentives for environmental performance.

Conclusion

PERMEN LH 12/2025 represents a significant advancement in Indonesia's water pollution control framework, establishing modern, enforceable standards specifically designed for the textile industry's unique pollution characteristics. By mandating compliance with 20 environmental parameters through daily, weekly, and continuous monitoring, the regulation eliminates the ambiguity and enforcement gaps that plagued previous frameworks. The dual system approach accommodates diverse business models while maintaining stringent discharge quality requirements, and the 2-year transition period balances environmental urgency with economic realism for capital-intensive treatment upgrades.

As Indonesia's textile industry navigates compliance implementation through 2027, critical success factors include access to affordable treatment technologies, technical assistance for small and medium enterprises, enforcement consistency across jurisdictions, and public reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency. The regulation's effectiveness will ultimately depend on sustained political commitment to environmental enforcement, adequate resourcing of regulatory agencies, and industry recognition that water stewardship is essential for long-term competitiveness in global markets increasingly demanding sustainable production. Stakeholders should monitor technology adoption rates, compliance statistics, and water quality improvements in textile-intensive watersheds to assess whether PERMEN LH 12/2025 achieves its environmental protection objectives.

Official Source

This article analyzes Ministerial Regulation of the Ministry of Environment No. 12 of 2025 on Wastewater Quality Standards for Textile Business and/or Activities (PERMEN LH 12/2025).

The official regulation text can be accessed at:

Primary Source:
PERMEN LH No. 12 Tahun 2025 - BPK Regulation Portal

Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup
- JDIH Sekretariat Kabinet

Official Gazette: Berita Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2025 Nomor 679

Regulation Status: Active and Enforceable
Effective Date: September 9, 2025
Verified: December 17, 2025 via RegulationVault

Disclaimer

This article was AI-generated under an experimental legal-AI application. It may contain errors, inaccuracies, or hallucinations. The content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice or authoritative interpretation of regulations.

We accept no liability whatsoever for any decisions made based on this article. Readers are strongly advised to:
- Consult the official regulation text from government sources
- Seek professional legal counsel for specific matters
- Verify all information independently

This experimental AI application is designed to improve access to regulatory information, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Disclaimer

This article was AI-generated under an experimental legal-AI application. It may contain errors, inaccuracies, or hallucinations. The content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice or authoritative interpretation of regulations.

We accept no liability whatsoever for any decisions made based on this article. Readers are strongly advised to:

• Consult the official regulation text from government sources
• Seek professional legal counsel for specific matters
• Verify all information independently

This experimental AI application is designed to improve access to regulatory information, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed.