The Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) has been established under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on 29 August 2025. The EADA is responsible for the overall management of the environmental audit framework in India.

The framework is designed 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 also supports compliance with regulatory approvals such as Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent to Establish (CTE), and Consent to Operate (CTO).

Roles and Responsibilities of EADA

The roles and responsibilities of the Environment Audit Designated Agency shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Specifying minimum eligibility criteria for Certified Environment Auditors;
2. Developing screening methodologies, which may include conducting examinations and/or other processes to identify qualified candidates for their certification as Certified Environment Auditor;
3. Certifying environment auditors including renewal, suspension, withdrawal, or cancellation of such certifications;
4. Specifying the criteria for registration of the Certified Environment Auditor;
5. Registration of the Certified Environment Auditor including renewal, suspension, withdrawal, or cancellation of such registrations;
6. Monitoring the performance of Registered Environment Auditor and issuing directions as necessary;
7. Facilitating capacity building through training programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, online courses, and other relevant initiatives for Certified Environment Auditor and Registered Environment Auditor;
8. Taking disciplinary action against Certified Environment Auditor and Registered Environment Auditor, wherever required;
9. Specifying guidelines, procedures, and standards governing the functioning of Certified Environment Auditor and Registered Environment Auditor;
10. Maintaining an online register of all Certified Environment Auditors and Registered Environment Auditors, which shall be publicly accessible;
11. Publishing an annual report of its activities within six months from the end of each financial year, and submitting a copy of the report to the Central Government within thirty days of its publication.