MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification: Strengthening Quality, Sustainability and Women-led Enterprises

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) is promoting the Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme to improve quality, productivity, safety and environmental performance of MSMEs. As of 7 July 2026, about 9.49 lakh MSMEs have registered, with over 6.67 lakh Bronze, 6,700 Silver and 4,800 Gold certifications awarded, and the scheme has disbursed more than ₹913 crore in financial support. A 100 % subsidy on certification costs, effective from 11 November 2023, is provided to women‑owned MSMEs, removing the cost barrier for women entrepreneurs. The scheme also offers up to 75 % assistance for testing/certification (max ₹50,000), up to ₹2 lakh for hand‑holding, and up to ₹3 lakh for Zero‑Effect solutions. Financial institutions and 22 states/UTs have linked incentives and concessional financing to ZED‑certified firms, enhancing their market credibility and competitiveness.