The financial support extended to MSMEs securing the ZED (Zero Effect, Zero Defect) scheme’s certification has crossed Rs 100 crore.
At the time of filing this report, Rs 105.20 crore in financial assistance was offered to MSMEs under the scheme. Since its launch in April 2022 to encourage environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices among MSMEs, 1.60 lakh MSMEs have registered, of which 78,355 MSMEs have been ZED certified, as of Monday, according to the data from the scheme’s portal.
Financial assistance is offered in terms of the subsidy provided on the cost of certification. Any number of units registered under one Udyam registration can apply for subsidy under the scheme and each unit can apply for the certification to avail the subsidy and scheme’s benefits. Micro, small and medium enterprises are offered 80 per cent, 60 per cent and 50 per cent subsidy respectively.
MSMEs are charged Rs 10,000 for bronze certification, Rs 40,000 for silver certification, and Rs 90,000 for gold certification. The certificate is valid for three years and MSMEs have to re-apply for the certificate as per the validity of the scheme. Currently, the scheme is applicable for manufacturing MSMEs only.
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While bronze certification has five parameters including workplace safety, measurement of timely delivery, quality management, etc., silver certification has 14 parameters and gold certification has 20 parameters such as HR management, process control, energy management, certification of product quality and safety, supply chain management, waste management, risk management, CSR, technology upgradation and more.
Out of 78,355 MSMEs certified, 77,743 had achieved bronze certification while 308 were silver certified and 304 were gold certified.
“The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the MSME Champions Scheme in order to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs to make them competitive in foreign markets. MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme a component under the MSME Champions Scheme provides financial support for technology up-gradation for moving towards zero effect solution/pollution control measures/cleaner technology,” said Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Minister of State in the MSME Ministry in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on December 12.
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The scheme also provides up to Rs 2 lakh support for handholding/consultancy to achieve the next certification level and Rs 3 lakh for technology degradation.
