The Environment Ministry has authorised the creation of a new class of independent Environment Auditors under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, to strengthen compliance monitoring and supplement the work of State PCBs.

About the Initiative

• Independent Auditors: Private agencies can get accredited and licensed as environmental auditors, similar to chartered accountants.
• Role: Evaluate project compliance with environmental laws and best practices in the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution.
• Gap-Filling Measure: Aims to address manpower and infrastructure constraints of CPCB, Regional Offices, and State PCBs.

Key Features

• Accreditation: Private agencies may obtain licences to function as authorised auditors.
• Scope of Audits: Can undertake Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, later appraised by expert committees.
• Transparency & Accountability: Designed to strengthen trust in compliance monitoring and promote sustainable environmental governance.

Implementation Mechanism

• Applicable Rules: Audits by these agencies can be used for compliance under:
  • Green Credit Rules
  • Ecomark Rules, 2024
  • E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022
  • Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
  • Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022
  • Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and related regulations.

About Environment Audit Rules, 2025

• Objective: To address gaps in compliance monitoring due to manpower and resource constraints in CPCB, SPCBs, and Regional Offices.
• Scope: Ensures compliance with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Green Credit Rules, 2023, and other related legislations.
• Approach: Introduces independent, certified, and registered Environment Auditors (EAs) for third-party compliance verification.

Key Features of the Rules

• Certification & Registration:
  • Auditors are to be certified by the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA).
  • Certification through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or National Certification Examination (NCE).
  • Only Registered Environment Auditors (REAs) are allowed to undertake audits.
• Role of REAs:
  • Compliance evaluation, sampling, analysis, and compensation calculation.
  • Verification under Green Credit Rules and waste management laws.
  • May also verify self-compliance reports by project proponents.
• Random Assignment: REAs to be allocated to projects through a randomised system to prevent bias.
• Capacity Building: EADA to maintain an online register, monitor performance, take disciplinary action, and conduct training.
• Oversight Mechanism: A Steering Committee chaired by an Additional Secretary, MoEFCC, with representatives from regulatory bodies.
  • Functions: Monitor progress, resolve challenges, and suggest reforms.

Significance of the Rule

• Stronger Compliance: Independent third-party audits make compliance credible and enforceable.
• Enhanced Capacity: Creates a pool of trained auditors, freeing regulators for high-risk enforcement.
• Data-Driven Governance: Regular audits provide digitised, verifiable data for better decision-making.
• Risk Management: Enables early detection of non-compliance and timely corrective action.

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