7.03 Lakh MSMEs Receive ZED Certification As Govt Pushes Sustainable Manufacturing

New Delhi, Aug 11 (KNN) More than 7 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been certified under the MSME Sustainable (ZED- Zero Defect Zero Effect) Certification Scheme, Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje said in the Rajya Sabha.

As of July 31, 2026, a total of 9,83,003 MSMEs had registered under the scheme, while 7,03,585 MSMEs had received ZED certification.

The government said ZED-certified units continue to avail benefits available under the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) Order, 2012. However, there are currently no separate additional incentives for ZED-certified enterprises in public procurement or exports.

ZED 2.0 Introduced To Boost MSME Competitiveness

To strengthen the benefits of the certification, the Ministry of MSME introduced ZED 2.0 from September 18, 2024.

The revised framework includes a 20 percent reduction in certification costs, a strengthened assessment mechanism and financial assistance for multiple testing, quality and product certifications aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of MSMEs.

Scheme Extends Support To Aspirational And Backward Districts

The ZED Certification Scheme is being implemented across the country, including aspirational and industrially backward districts.

To encourage wider participation, the scheme provides an additional 10 percent subsidy on certification costs for SC/ST-owned MSMEs and enterprises located in the North Eastern Region, Himalayan Region, Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, Island Territories and Aspirational Districts.

(KNN Bureau)