The Government of India envisioned the Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) initiative to enhance MSME competitiveness, make them sustainable and transform them as National and International Champions.
We assist you in obtaining ZED Certificate for your entity from Ministry of MSME.
MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification is an extensive drive to create awareness amongst MSMEs about Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) practices and motivate & incentivise them for ZED Certification while also encouraging them to become MSME Champions. The ZED Certification aims at enhancing the competitiveness of an MSME through assessment, handholding, managerial and technological intervention etc.
Objectives of ZED Certification:
- Encourage and enable MSMEs for manufacturing of quality products using latest technology, tools & to constantly upgrade their processes for achievement of high quality and high productivity with the least effect on the environment
- Develop an Ecosystem for ZED Manufacturing in MSMEs, for enhancing competitiveness and enabling exports
- Promote adoption of ZED practices and recognising the efforts of successful MSMEs
- Encourage MSMEs to achieve higher ZED Certification levels through graded incentives
- Increase public awareness on demanding Zero Defect and Zero Effect products through the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification
- Identify areas to improve upon, thereby assisting the Government in policy decisions and investment prioritization
Certification Levels of ZED:
All MSMEs registered with the UDYAM registration portal (of the MoMSME) will be eligible to participate in MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification and avail related benefits/incentives. MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification can be attained in THREE Levels after registering as ZED and taking the ZED Pledge.
ZED Pledge – The intent of taking a ZED Pledge is to take a “pre-commitment” or a solemn promise by MSMEs to uphold the values of Zero Defect Zero Effect in their practices and to urge them to move ahead on the journey of ZED.
- Certification Level 1: BRONZE
- Certification Level 2: SILVER
- Certification Level 3: GOLD
An organization applying for a particular certification level will be assessed on the following parameters, as applicable:
| Sl. No. | Parameters | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| 1 | Leadership | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 2 | Swachh Workplace | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 3 | Occupational (Workplace) Safety | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 4 | Measurement of Timely Delivery | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 5 | Quality Management | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 6 | Human Resource Management | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 7 | Daily Works Management | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 8 | Planned Maintenance & Calibration | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 9 | Process Control | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 10 | Product Quality & Safety (Testing / Certification) | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 11 | Material Management | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 12 | Energy Management | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 13 | Environment Management | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 14 | Measurement and Analysis | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| 15 | Supply Chain Management | – | – | ✔ |
| 16 | Risk Management | – | – | ✔ |
| 17 | Waste Management (Muda, Mura, Muri) | – | – | ✔ |
| 18 | Technology Selection & Upgradation | – | – | ✔ |
| 19 | Natural Resource Conservation | – | – | ✔ |
| 20 | Corporate Social Responsibility | – | – | ✔ |
Certification Process
- After taking the ZED Pledge, an MSME can apply online for any Certification Level (Bronze, Silver, Gold) and would need to conform to all the requirements of the level applied for, in order to obtain the Certification.
- Every MSME embarking on the journey of ZED must submit an Undertaking.
- In case of a non-conformity, the applicant MSME would be given an opportunity to close the non-conformity(ies), in a defined time period, in order to be eligible for the desired level/Certification
- The Final ZED Certificate will be issued based upon the findings and recommendation of the Accredited Assessment Agencies.
- A surveillance assessment (after a period of 18 months of achieving ZED Certification) will be conducted by QCI’s Accredited Assessment Agencies as a part of the ZED Certification. The surveillance assessment will only be applicable to those MSMEs which have achieved Silver & Gold Certification levels.
Benefits for Entities with ZED certification
- Encourage and enable MSMEs for manufacturing of quality products using latest technology, tools & to constantly upgrade their processes for achievement of high quality and high productivity with the least effect on the environment
- Develop an Ecosystem for ZED Manufacturing in MSMEs, for enhancing competitiveness and enabling exports
- Promote adoption of ZED practices and recognising the efforts of successful MSMEs
- Encourage MSMEs to achieve higher ZED Certification levels through graded incentives
- Increase public awareness on demanding Zero Defect and Zero Effect products through the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification
- Identify areas to improve upon, thereby assisting the Government in policy decisions and investment prioritization
Financial aids for entities with ZED certification
- A provision of up to Rs. 5 Lakhs (per MSME) has been made available for handholding and consultancy support for MSMEs under ZED Certification for assisting them.
- Out of this, an amount upto Rs. 2 Lakhs to be utilized for handholding support (as needed) through consulting organizations and up to Rs. 3 Lakhs may be utilized towards technology upgradation for moving towards zero effect solutions/pollution control measures/cleaner technology subject to Consultant’s recommendations, verification by respective MSME-DI and approval by the PMAC.
- There will be an additional subsidy of 10% for the MSMEs owned by Women/SC/ST Entrepreneurs OR MSMEs in NER/ Himalayan/ LWE/ Island territories/aspirational districts.
- There will be an additional subsidy of 5% for MSMEs which are also a part of the SFURTI OR Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) of the Ministry.
- A limited-purpose joining reward of Rs. 10,000/- will be offered to each MSME once they take the ZED Pledge