The Environment Audit Rules, 2025 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on 29 August 2025, provide for the establishment of Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA), to be notified by the Central Government. National Productivity Council (NPC), under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has been designated as EADA by MoEF&CC for a period of five years on 18 March 2026 (PIB Press Release).
As per the roles and responsibilities of EADA, NPC shall be responsible for the overall management of the Environment Audit framework in India, aimed at strengthening compliance with major environmental legislations, including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980; and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, along with the rules framed thereunder.
Roles and Responsibilities of EADA
As per clause 5 of Environment Audit Rules 2025, The roles and responsibilities of the Environment Audit Designated Agency shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Specifying minimum eligibility criteria for Certified Environment Auditors;
Developing screening methodologies, which may include conducting examinations and/or other processes to identify qualified candidates for their certification as Certified Environment Auditor;
Certifying environment auditors including renewal, suspension, withdrawal, or cancellation of such certifications;
Specifying the criteria for registration of the Certified Environment Auditor;
Registration of the Certified Environment Auditor including renewal, suspension, withdrawal, or cancellation of such registrations;
Monitoring the performance of Registered Environment Auditor and issuing directions as necessary;
Facilitating capacity building through training programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, online courses, and other relevant initiatives for Certified Environment Auditor and Registered Environment Auditor;
Taking disciplinary action against Certified Environment Auditor and Registered Environment Auditor, wherever required;
Specifying guidelines, procedures, and standards governing the functioning of Certified Environment Auditor and Registered Environment Auditor;
Maintaining an online register of all Certified Environment Auditors and Registered Environment Auditors, which shall be publicly accessible;
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.