Textile Industry Wastewater Compliance: PERMEN LH 12/2025
Executive Summary
PERMEN LH 12/2025, enacted on January 1, 2025, establishes wastewater quality standards for textile business and activities in Indonesia. The regulation sets 12 parameters covering biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, heavy metals, and physical characteristics. Standards vary based on daily discharge volume, with stricter limits for larger facilities.
Background
Indonesia's textile industry employs over 3.5 million workers and contributes approximately 7% to GDP. Textile manufacturing processes—dyeing, printing, and finishing—discharge wastewater containing dyes, chemicals, and particulate matter. Prior to PERMEN LH 12/2025, Indonesia regulated industrial wastewater through general environmental standards without textile-specific parameters.
The regulation operationalizes environmental protection requirements for textile facilities by establishing sector-specific discharge limits and treatment obligations.
Key Provisions
Wastewater Quality Parameters for Standalone Treatment Systems
PERMEN LH 12/2025 establishes three tiers of standards based on daily discharge volume.
Lampiran I: Baku Mutu Air Limbah Bagi Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan Tekstil pada Unit Pengolahan Air Limbah dengan Sistem Tersendiri
Parameter 1: Kebutuhan Oksigen Biokimiawi (BOD)
Debit < 100 m³/hari: 60 mg/LDebit 100-1.000 m³/hari: 45 mg/LDebit > 1.000 m³/hari: 35 mg/L
Parameter 2: Kebutuhan Oksigen Kimiawi (COD)
Debit < 100 m³/hari: 150 mg/LDebit 100-1.000 m³/hari: 125 mg/LDebit > 1.000 m³/hari: 115 mg/L
Parameter 3: Padatan Tersuspensi Total (TSS)
Debit < 100 m³/hari: 50 mg/LDebit 100-1.000 m³/hari: 40 mg/LDebit > 1.000 m³/hari: 30 mg/L
BOD measures dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter. COD measures total organic and inorganic pollutants. TSS captures particulate matter including fibers, dye particles, and sediments.
Heavy Metals and Chemical Limits
The regulation establishes uniform limits for toxic substances regardless of facility size.
Parameter 4: Fenol Total
Semua kategori debit: 0,5 mg/L
Parameter 5: Krom Total
Semua kategori debit: 1,0 mg/L
Parameter 6: Total Amonia (sebagai N)
Semua kategori debit: 8,0 mg/L
Parameter 7: Sulfida
Semua kategori debit: 0,3 mg/L
Parameter 8: Minyak Lemak
Semua kategori debit: 3,0 mg/L
Phenols are aromatic compounds used in textile chemical processing. Total chromium limits address chromium-based dyes and mordants. Ammonia limits address nitrogen-based chemicals used in finishing processes. Sulfides are released during sulfur dyeing processes.
Physical Parameters
Parameter 9: pH
Semua kategori debit: 6 – 9
Parameter 10: Warna
Semua kategori debit: 200 Pt-Co
Parameter 11: Suhu
Semua kategori debit: 38°C
Parameter 12: Volume Air Limbah Maksimum
Debit < 100 m³/hari: 200 m³/ton produkDebit 100-1.000 m³/hari: 200 m³/ton produkDebit > 1.000 m³/hari: 100 m³/ton produk
The pH range of 6-9 ensures discharged wastewater is neither too acidic nor alkaline. Color intensity measured in Platinum-Cobalt (Pt-Co) units addresses visible discoloration. Temperature limits prevent thermal impacts. Maximum wastewater volume per ton of product incentivizes water efficiency.
Integrated Wastewater Treatment Systems
PERMEN LH 12/2025 includes calculation methodologies for facilities operating integrated treatment systems that combine textile effluent with other waste streams.
Lampiran II: Baku Mutu Air Limbah Bagi Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan Tekstil pada Unit Pengolahan Air Limbah dengan Sistem Terintegrasi
"Perhitungan Baku Mutu Air Limbah pada unit Pengolahan Air Limbah terintegrasi dilakukan untuk mendapatkan angka mengenai: 1. debit Air Limbah paling tinggi; dan 2. kadar Air Limbah gabungan paling tinggi."
"Debit Air Limbah paling tinggi adalah jumlah debit tertinggi Air Limbah dari masing-masing kegiatan tekstil dan kegiatan lainnya."
The regulation provides mass balance methodology for calculating composite discharge limits when multiple waste streams converge in a single treatment system. For parameters appearing in multiple waste streams, the regulation mandates weighted averaging based on flow rates and concentrations.
Implementation
PERMEN LH 12/2025 applies to all textile business entities operating in Indonesia, including dyeing, printing, finishing, and integrated manufacturing facilities. Facilities operating standalone treatment systems must meet the graduated standards in Lampiran I. Facilities operating integrated systems must apply calculation methodologies in Lampiran II.
Facilities must establish monitoring programs measuring all 12 regulated parameters. Large-scale operations (>1,000 m³/day) typically face monthly sampling requirements. Smaller facilities may operate on quarterly schedules. All monitoring data must be reported to provincial or district environmental authorities.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry serves as the primary regulatory authority, coordinating with provincial Environmental Agencies for implementation and enforcement. District-level environmental offices conduct routine inspections, verify monitoring data, and investigate pollution complaints.
Textile manufacturers must operate Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) capable of achieving the prescribed standards. Treatment technologies typically include primary treatment (screening, equalization, pH adjustment), secondary biological treatment (activated sludge, sequencing batch reactors), and tertiary treatment (filtration, advanced oxidation for color removal).
Non-compliance triggers administrative sanctions ranging from written warnings to permit suspension and facility closure.
Conclusion
PERMEN LH 12/2025 establishes 12 wastewater quality parameters for Indonesia's textile industry. The regulation differentiates standards based on discharge volume, with stricter limits for larger facilities. Facilities must install treatment systems, conduct regular monitoring, and report data to environmental authorities.
Official Source
This article discusses Ministerial Regulation 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 - JDIH MENLHK
Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan
- JDIH Sekretariat Kabinet
Official Gazette: Berita Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2025
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.