NPC Assigned Responsibility for Managing Environmental Audit System and Capacity Building

The National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous organisation under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has signed an Agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to act as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, notified by MoEF&CC on 29 August 2025.

The Agreement 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 and capacity building.

The Environment Audit framework is envisaged as a key instrument to strengthen compliance with major environmental legislations, including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980; the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; and rules framed thereunder. It will also support compliance with regulatory approvals such as Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) issued by the competent authorities.

The initiative aims to strengthen environmental compliance mechanisms, enhance transparency and institutionalise standardised environmental auditing practices across the country.

As the designated agency, NPC will undertake key functions including certification and registration of Certified Environmental Auditors (CEA) and Registered Environmental Auditors (REA), and development and management of digital systems for environmental audit processes. NPC will also facilitate capacity building through training programmes, workshops and awareness initiatives to support effective implementation of the audit framework.

The roles and responsibilities of EADA include specifying minimum eligibility criteria for Certified Environmental Auditors; developing screening methodologies, including examinations and other certification processes; certification of Environmental Auditors, including renewal, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation; specifying criteria for registration of Certified Environmental Auditors as Registered Environmental Auditors; registration of auditors, including renewal, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation; monitoring the performance of Registered Environmental Auditors and issuing necessary directions; facilitating capacity building through training programmes, workshops, seminars, conferences and online courses; taking disciplinary action against Certified and Registered Environmental Auditors, wherever required; specifying guidelines, procedures and standards governing the functioning of auditors; and maintaining an online, publicly accessible register of all Certified and Registered Environmental Auditors.

NPC will operate in accordance with the provisions of the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, ensuring adherence to prescribed standards, timelines and reporting requirements. With its pan-India presence through 13 offices, including its Headquarters in New Delhi, and its experience in productivity enhancement, sustainability and capacity building, NPC is positioned to support implementation of this initiative.

This collaboration reflects the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance while promoting sustainable industrial growth. The establishment of a dedicated agency for environmental audits is expected to improve monitoring, reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance, thereby contributing to better environmental outcomes.