The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises launched the ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) Scheme to motivate the entrepreneurs in manufacturing high-quality products. This will meet the demands of the national and global level customers. The main motto of this program is to boost entrepreneurship and support the Government’s ‘Make in India’ Scheme. The Ministry encourages the MSMEs rated under the ZED program with several awards and benefits. It works to promote adaptation of Quality system, Energy efficient manufacturing and to encourage MSMEs to upgrade their quality standards and processes with adoption of Zero Defect production processes.

Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Businesses (CASMB) organized a one-day awareness program on MSME’s ZED Certification Scheme on 15 November 2022 at Mumbai & on 17 November 2022 at Pune.

ZED is MSME Ministry’s sustainability certification & encourages manufacturing of goods in the country with “zero defects” and ensures that the goods produced are “zero effect” on the environment.

Objective of this awareness program was to disseminate information and create awareness about the ZED process to the members of Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Businesses (CASMB). MSME’s ZED Certification Scheme programme was conducted at Mumbai & Pune in association with CASMB, ITCFSAN and ISHRAE. Chief guest Praful Umare (IEDs, Asst. Director, DFO, and Mumbai) blessed this event with his presence. After the inauguration, traditional auspicious lamp- lightening ceremony took place, as a tribute to Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.

Speaker B. Krishnamurthi, Zed consultant spoke on ZED certification scheme. An insightful presentation was given by him followed by Pledge taking session. The ZED Certification scheme was to provide relevant and implementable support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Manufacturing Sector in enhancing their capabilities and in overcoming their problems. Benefits of this certification is that, it provides subsidy of 80% for Micro, 60% for small & 40% for medium enterprises with additional 10% for woman- owned units. Amount worth 5 lakh is sanctioned for upgradation per MSME, out of which 2 lakhs is subsidy towards consultancy fees & 3 lakhs for technology upgradation. It was well received and most of the MSME instantly registered in the ZED mobile app and 20 participants registered for Bronze certification on the spot in Pune.

MSME sustainable (ZED) certification can be attended in three levels after registering and taking the ZED pledge.

Special thanks to MSME DFO Mumbai for this programme.

Attendees got chance to interact with MSME officials and ask their doubts in person. Overall 110 + enterprises participated in this programme from Mumbai & Pune location. The Chamber for advancement of medium & small businesses (CASMB) will continue to work towards empowering micro, small & medium businesses (MSME) entrepreneurs.