Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane launched the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme on Thursday. In his address, the minister said that ZED has the potential to become a national movement and that it aims to provide a roadmap to global competitiveness for the MSMEs of India. He added that ZED will not only attempt to improve productivity and performance but also has the capability to change the mindset of manufacturers and make them more environment conscious.
This scheme is an extensive drive to enable and facilitate MSMEs to adopt Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) practices and motivate and incentivize them for ZED certification while also encouraging them to become MSME champions. Through the journey of ZED certification, MSMEs can reduce wastages substantially, increase productivity, enhance environmental consciousness, save energy, optimally use natural resources, and expand their markets.
Under the scheme, MSMEs will get subsidies as per the following structure, on the cost of ZED certification: micro enterprises 80%, small enterprises 60%, medium enterprises 50%.
There will be an additional subsidy of 10% for the MSMEs owned by women/SC/ST entrepreneurs or MSMEs in NER/Himalayan/LWE/Island territories/aspirational districts. Further, a limited purpose joining reward of Rs 10,000 will be offered to each MSME once they take the ZED pledge.
A provision of up to Rs 5 lakh (per MSME) will be made available for handholding and consultancy support for MSMEs under ZED Certification for assisting them to move towards Zero Defect Zero Effect solutions. The MSMEs can also apply for free certification under the MSME Kawach (Covid-19 Support) initiative.
