National Productivity Council (NPC) designated as Environment Audit Designated Agency under Environment Audit Rules 2025

Key facts

• National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous body under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), signed an agreement with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to function as Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA).
• Environment Audit Rules 2025 were notified on 29 August 2025.
• NPC will develop eligibility criteria for environmental auditors, conduct examinations and certification, register auditors, monitor performance, build capacity through training, and manage digital systems for audit processes.
• Framework ensures compliance with 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, and Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
• NPC will certify Certified Environmental Auditors (CEA) and register Registered Environmental Auditors (REA), renew, suspend or cancel certifications, monitor performance, and maintain a publicly accessible online registry.
• Capacity building efforts include training programmes, workshops, seminars, conferences and online courses for auditors.
• NPC operates through 13 offices across India.