ZED Certification: How to get ZED certificate in India
ZED Certification is a substantial drive to create recognition amongst Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises about the Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) movement and incentivise them for ZED Certification while also motivating them to become MSME Leader. Zero Defect Zero Effect means that the goods should be manufactured in such a way that it should carry zero defects & they are never returned due to quality parameters, while zero effect means that the manufacturing should support sustainable development & it should have zero negative impact on the environment. Zed Certificate is valid for a period of 3 Years from the date of issuance of certificate.
The ZED Certification aims at strengthening the competitiveness of an organization by guidance, assessment, handholding, managerial, modification, technological intervention and not just certification. Few objectives of ZED certification are :
- Encourage & enable Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) for assembling & manufacturing of good quality products using latest technology, tools & to constantly upgrade their processes for achieving optimum result with the least effect on the environment.
- Promote adoption of Zero Defect Zero Effect practices & recognising the efforts of successful Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
- Increasing public awareness on demanding Zero Defect & Zero Effect products through the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
- Create & expand an Ecosystem for ZED Manufacturing in MSMEs, for enhancing competitiveness and enabling exports.
Documents required for Zed Certification
Leadership
Leadership should drive the organization towards growth by inculcating Zero Defect Zero Effect culture. Activities that may be included (but not limited to):
- Communicating & directing all stakeholders on the ZED culture/practices
- Periodically reviewing organizational performance on the ZED parameters including regulatory requirements
Swachh Workplace
Identify and implement systems based on the requirements for cleanliness & hygiene that may include statutory & regulatory requirements, customer requirements, process and product requirements. Activities that may be included (but not limited to):
- Proper nomenclature and labeling of buildings/units/ yards/areas
- Task Identification based on the nature of the task (housekeeping / process cleaning / maintenance etc.)
- Employee Role Assignment with well-defined responsibilities – who will do what
- Training of all employees on Cleanliness & Hygiene requirements
- Identifying & implementing hygiene requirements (including personal hygiene) as per regulatory (FSSAI), customer, process and product requirements, including Pest Control
- Cleaning in Place (CIP) or Cleaning Out of Place (CIP) systems, verification and validation of cleaning effectiveness
- Documentation / SOPs/ Log-sheets depicting activity schedules
- Ensuring proper Work Area Layout for process isolation / containment
- Periodic audits/checks and action plan in case of deviations, if any, identify Root Cause and take Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)
Occupational (Workplace) Safety
Identify and implement safety systems based on Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessment to identify safety requirements including statutory & regulatory requirements, customer requirements, process and product requirements. Activities that may be included (but not limited to):
- Establishing Safety Policy & communicating to all stakeholders including supply chain
- Training of all employees on safety and safety requirements
- Providing relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the employees/workers
- Signages & Pictograms/Pictures to alert about expected behavioral response, in adequate numbers
- Maintaining Accident/Incident register to record all incidents or accidents
- Provision of workers Amenities including personal protection kit, first-aid kit etc.
- Systems to ensure timely availability of medical/emergency services
- Maintenance of emergency response equipment
- Mock drills for emergency evacuations in case of blasts, accidents or fire
- Periodic Safety audits and action plan in case of deviations and incidents, if any, to identify Root Cause and take Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)
Measurement of Timely Delivery
Identify and implement systems to measure the performance of timely delivery Activities that may be included (but not limited to):
- Recording contract delivery schedules
- Monitoring & measuring delivery timelines (On-Time in Full)
- Use of technology/systems to track and measure the deliveries
Quality Management
Identify quality aspects and implement systems for products and processes to ensure consistent, high quality products and customer satisfaction. Activities that may be included (but not limited to):
- Establishing Quality Policy & communicating to all stakeholders
- Identifying quality requirements of the customers, regulators, products and processes and implement systems to fulfill the requirements
- Identifying quality requirements of the customers, regulators, products and processes and implement systems to fulfill the requirements
- Ensuring that employees at all levels are involved in quality improvement initiatives
- Periodic Quality audits and action plan in case of deviations, if any, to identify Root Cause and take Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)
Certification Requirement (Optional)
- Occupational (Workplace) Safety ISO 45001
- Quality Management ISO 9001
Photographs Required
- Representative Selfie
- Site Exterior Photo (2 Photos)
- Product Photos
- Product Labels & packagings Photo
- Energy Source Used
- Shop Floor (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Worker’s Toilet (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Raw Material Store (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Finished Goods Store (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Fire Extinguisher at shop Floor (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Fire Extinguisher at stores (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Sand Buckets (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Employees with Personal Protective Equipments
- Safety Posters (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Other Safety Systems (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Safety training conducted (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- Record / trend of Deliveries for last 3 months (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
- List of training conducted on Quality (Max 5 Photographs with pdf copy)
Process of ZED Certification
- Online Registration on the ZED Portal
- Enter valid Udyam & Mobile number
- Udyam validation through API
- ZED Pledge taken, ID Creation
- ZED Application through Dashboard
- Online Payment for further process
- MSME downloads mobile app for next steps
- Basic info and documents submitted by MSME SPOC along with his/her selfie
- Geo-tagging and real time data captured and Live Web Monitoring
- Case submitted to Master Admin
- Case allocated for assessment
- Case assessed by assessor
- Non-conformances raised by assessor
- Non-conformances closed by MSME
- Case approved by assessor
- Certificate & Report generated
Fees for ZED Certification
The fee for ZED certification assessment varies from level of certifications.
| Certification Level | Government Fee | Professional Fees |
| 1: BRONZE | Rs. 10,000/- | Rs. 15,000/- |
| 2: SILVER | Rs. 40,000/- | Rs. 25,000/- |
| 3: GOLD | Rs. 90,000/- | Rs. 50,000/- |
Note: The aformentioned Fees is exclusive of GST.
Subsidy in ZED Certification
MSME unit gets subsidy on the cost of certification as per the following structure,:
- Micro Enterprises: 80%
- Small Enterprises: 60%
- Medium Enterprises: 50%
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises may opt for upgrading their ZED Certification Level at any point of time before the expiry of their existing Certificate.
Benefits of ZED Certification
- MSME units registered under Udyam can apply for subsidies under zed certification.
- 5% Subsidy for MSMEs involved with SFURTI OR Micro & Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme of the Ministry.
- MSMEs will be awarded a joining reward of Rs. 10000 once they take Zed-Pledge.
- Waiver, discount, and loan on processing fee from various Banks for zed certification.
NOTE: MSMEs may opt for upgrading their Certification Level at any point of time before the expiry of the validity of their existing ZED Certification. Cost and subsidy will remain the same.
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