The National Productivity Council (NPC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to act as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA). This is in accordance with the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, notified on 29 August 2025.
Highlights of MoU
- It entrusts NPC with the responsibility for overall management of the environmental audit framework, including
- Development of eligibility criteria
- Conduct of examinations for certification
- Registration of auditors
- Monitoring of their performance
- Capacity building
- As the designated agency, NPC will undertake key functions including
- Certification and registration of Certified Environmental Auditors (CEA) and Registered Environmental Auditors (REA)
- Development and management of digital systems for environmental audit processes
- Facilitate capacity building through training programmes, workshops and awareness initiatives to support effective implementation of the audit framework.
Background: Environment Audit framework
- Objectives
- Strengthen environmental compliance mechanisms
- Enhance transparency in regulatory processes
- Institutionalise standardised environmental auditing practices
- Promote sustainable industrial growth
- Legal and Regulatory Coverage: It supports compliance with key environmental laws:
- Environment Protection Act 1986
- Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1974
- Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1981
- Forest Conservation Act 1980
- Wild Life Protection Act 1972
- It also ensures compliance with regulatory approvals such as:
- Environmental Clearance (EC)
- Consent to Establish (CTE)
- Consent to Operate (CTO)