The National Productivity Council (NPC) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to act as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025. The NPC is an autonomous organisation under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the agreement assigns overarching responsibility for the national environmental audit framework. This designation places the NPC at the centre of efforts to institutionalise standardised environmental auditing practices across the country. As EADA, the NPC will develop eligibility criteria for auditors, conduct examinations and certification processes, register auditors and monitor their performance, and manage renewal and disciplinary procedures for Certified Environmental Auditors (CEA) and Registered Environmental Auditors (REA). The agency will also specify guidelines, procedures and standards governing auditor functions and maintain an online, publicly accessible register of all certified and registered auditors. These measures are intended to introduce consistent quality controls and accountability in auditing. The environment audit framework is designed to strengthen compliance with key environmental legislations such as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980; and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and rules framed thereunder. It will support adherence to regulatory approvals including Environmental Clearance, Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate issued by competent authorities. The framework is expected to improve monitoring and reporting accuracy across regulated sectors. The NPC will also develop and manage digital systems for environmental audit processes and facilitate capacity building through training programmes, workshops, seminars and online courses to support implementation. With a pan-India presence through 13 offices, including its Headquarters in New Delhi, and experience in productivity and sustainability, the council is positioned to operationalise the audit mechanism in accordance with prescribed standards, timelines and reporting requirements. The collaboration reflects the Government of India's commitment to strengthening environmental governance while supporting sustainable industrial growth.