ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) Certification

MSME Ministry certification program providing subsidy support for MSMEs to adopt quality and sustainability standards, with subsidy up to ₹3 lakhs. ZED certification is structured in three tiers — Bronze, Silver, and Gold — evaluated against parameters covering quality, safety, production, energy, and environmental impact, and applicants must first take a formal "ZED Pledge" before applying for a certification level. Subsidy rates scale with enterprise size (80% for micro, 60% for small, 50% for medium), with an additional 10% available for women- or SC/ST-owned MSMEs and units in the Northeast, Himalayan, LWE, island, or aspirational-district categories, plus a ₹10,000 joining reward toward the certification cost after taking the Pledge.