MSME Zed certification scheme crosses the 10,000 registrations milestone, tweeted MSME Minister

Within 15 months of its April 2022 launch, the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) Sustainable Certification (ZED) initiative, which aims to encourage zero defect-zero effect practices among manufacturing MSMEs, has surpassed the milestone of 10,000 registrations.

Mr. Narayan Rane, Union Minister for MSME stated that the success of the MSME ZED certification programme, which was introduced in April 2022, demonstrates the commitment towards the visionary call for Zero Defect and Zero Effect Manufacturing by the Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi urged the nation's MSMEs to produce products with ‘zero defects’ and ‘zero environmental impact.’ The Zed Scheme is implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI), an independent organisation created by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

There are three levels in the ZED certification model: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These levels are classified according to 20 performance-based parameters such as quality management, timely delivery, process control, waste management, etc. The bronze certification is provided after meeting five parameters, followed by Silver at 14, and Gold at 20.

Although there are 10,260 MSMEs with bronze certification across the nation, only 49,075 MSMEs have applied. There are now just 153 gold-certified and 133 silver-certified MSMEs, according to data on the Zed dashboard.

For bronze certification, MSMEs must pay US$ 1.21 billion (Rs. 10,000), for silver certification, US$ 4.87 billion (Rs. 40,000), and for gold certification, US$ 10.96 billion (Rs. 90,000). The programme offers up to US$ 6.09 billion (Rs. 50,000) in maximum subsidy, which equates to up to 75% of the entire cost of testing or certification.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.