India Publishes Environment Audit Rules, 2025 to Certify Third-Party Auditors 
On August 29, 2025, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published and enforced the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, which establish certification requirements and responsibilities for private firms conducting environmental audits. Previously, environmental audits under existing environmental laws were carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), or third-party auditors, but no formal criteria existed for certifying the latter. Under the latest rules, registered auditors are expected to be prioritized when authorities outsource audit responsibilities.
Roles and Responsibilities of Registered Auditors
- undertaking environment audits governed by applicable environmental laws and regulations
- conducting sampling and analysis of emissions, effluents, wastes, and evaluating the effectiveness of pollution control and waste management systems installed
- reporting any violations or non-compliance
- computing environment compensation for non-compliance and violations, wherever required by the competent authority
- preparing and submitting environment audit reports
- carrying out verification activities if authorized under the Green Credit Rules, 2023
- to undertake environment audit under the provisions of the Ecomark Rules, 2024
- to undertake environment audit for Environment Impact Assessment
- verifying self-compliance reports submitted to ensure adherence to prescribed environmental regulation
Auditors may be registered through one of the following methods.
- Recognition of prior learning: A mode of certification based on prior experience and expertise, which shall remain in operation for a limited period as may be specified.
- National Certification Examination
The registration shall be valid for a period of five years. Detailed procedure for certification s including the minimum eligibility criteria for each mode of certification shall be such as may be provided in the guidelines to be published soon.
Download the rules from link below:
https://egazette.gov.in/writeReadData/2025/265833.pdf
