News: The Environment Audit Rules, 2025, establish a new independent class of environment auditors to complement State Pollution Control Boards.
About Environment Auditors
- What they are: A newly instituted group of certified specialists or accredited entities responsible for inspection, verification, and auditing of projects against environmental laws and sustainability benchmarks.
- Legal basis: Established under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025.
- Accreditation: Certification and registration by the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA).
- Aim
- Bridge manpower and infrastructure deficits in CPCB, Regional Offices, and State PCBs/PCCs.
- Promote self-compliance and accountability among project developers.
- Ensure greater transparency, accountability, and credibility in monitoring, fostering stakeholder trust and sustainable environmental governance.
- Function
- Conduct systematic audits of projects governed by environmental laws.
- Sample and analyse emissions, effluents, and waste; verify self-reported data.
- Check conformity with environmental clearances and consents; report non-compliance and compute environmental compensation.
- Act as verifiers under Green Credit Rules (e.g., afforestation, sustainable water and waste management).
- Check compliance with Ecomark Rules, 2024; E-Waste Rules, 2022; Plastic Waste Rules, 2016; Battery Waste Rules, 2022; and rules/regulations under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Provide independent inputs for climate action and ESG ratings.
- Support Green Credit Registry, Ecomark certification, and CRZ compliance.
- Significance
- Strengthens environmental governance beyond government machinery.
- Reduces monitoring burden on State/Central Boards.
- Improves coverage and effectiveness of compliance across numerous projects and industries.
- Builds trust among stakeholders through transparent and credible audits, promoting sustainable environmental governance.
