Environment Audit Rules, 2025

Why in News?

Recently, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced the Environment Audit Rules, 2025.

• Environment Audit Rules – It establish a formal and structured framework for environmental auditing across India.
• The framework introduces a structured system for certifying and registering Environment Auditors, also establishing a Designated agency to oversee the entire audit ecosystem.
• Under the new rules, private agencies can get themselves accredited as auditors.
• Objective – To bridge the manpower and infrastructure deficits faced by regulatory authorities.
• To strengthen the effective implementation of environmental compliance mechanisms.
• Key Features –
• Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) –Notified by the Central Government from time to time, responsible for overall management of the Environment Audit.
  • Responsibilities of EADA - Certification, registration, and oversight of auditors.
  • Monitoring performance and providing training.
  • Taking disciplinary action when required.
• Certified Environment Auditors – The certification of environment auditors shall be carried out by the EADA through the following two modes
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • National Certification Examination (NCE)
• Registered Environment Auditor (REAs) –Auditing is undertaken only by REAs, certified by the Environment Audit Designated Agency.
  • Roles of REAs – Conduct audit of emissions, effluents, and waste.
  • Assess the performance of pollution control systems.
  • Report non-compliance and compute environmental compensation
  • Verify self-compliance reports
  • Undertake assignments from Central pollution Control Boards, State Pollution control Boards, or project proponents
• Two-Tiered System of Compliance -
  • Tier-1 - Government regulators (CPCB, SPCBs, MoEFCC regional offices) will review compliance.
  • Tier-2 - Audits will be conducted by REAs for third-party verification.
• Oversight and Monitoring – The implementation is overseen a Steering Committee, led by an Additional Secretary from MoEFCC.
• Green approvals – Any approval, clearance, authorisation, licence, or permission granted under
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980,
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

References

1. The Hindu| Environment Audit Rules 2025.
2. The Gazette of India| Roles of Environment Audits.