These rules create a formal framework for environmental auditing across the country aimed at enhancing environmental compliance monitoring & ease of doing business across India.
Main Features of Environment Audit Rules, 2025
- Environment Audit Designate Agency (EADA): EADA's responsibilities include certification, registration, oversight, and training of auditors.
- Registered Environment Auditors (EAs): Auditing to be undertaken only by REAs.
- The certification of Environmental Auditors will be based on either scrutiny of their qualification and experience or by conducting an exam.
- REAs are assigned using a random assignment method to ensure impartiality.
- Responsibilities of REAs: Sampling, analysis, compensation calculation, verification under Green Credit Rules, audit under waste management rules and under various other environment and forest related legislations.
- Two-Tiered System:
- Tier-1: Comprises existing government regulator-based review of compliance by agencies like CPCB, SPCBs, and ministry regional offices.
- Tier-2: Involves an environment auditor-based mechanism.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Oversees implementation of Rules and issues necessary guidelines
- CPCB/SPCB/ROs: Continue inspection and verification roles, assist MoEFCC in Rules implementation.
- Oversight Mechanism: A Steering Committee, led by an Additional Secretary from MoEFCC, monitors progress and suggests reforms.