Page 43 - Banking Finance May 2021

ARTICLE

Y Develop professionals in the area of ZED manufacturing simple questions and a choice of answers. It may be noted
and certification. that the MSME may be asked to upload relevant documents
Y There are 50 parameters on which the MSMEs will be as evidence to the answers chosen.
assessed and rated.
Step 3 (Desktop assessment): After the online self-
Y The MSME applicant is required to comply with assessment, Quality Council of India will assess and evaluate
identified 20 essential parameters & at least 10 other answers and documents submitted by the MSME and come
parameters (as per the MSMEs domain competency, i.e. out with a preliminary rating based on answers and
sector of operation and type of industry). Hence, the evidences provided. This is known as Desktop assessment.
MSMEs will be rated on a minimum of 30 parameters.
The rating after the desktop assessment will determine
Y MSMEs may seek ZED rating on more than 30 whether the MSME proceeds further in the process.
parameters as per the processes and systems available
at the MSME. Step 4 (Site-assessment): If the MSME is selected to
Y Each parameter has 5 maturity levels. Each level proceed further after the desktop assessment, a ZED
corresponds to the existing state of systems and certified assessor from an accredited rating agency will be
processes in the manufacturing unit that is being appointed to conduct a physical assessment of the
assessed. These levels range from struggler which is manufacturing unit of the MSME. This site-assessment will
level 1, to beginner, organized and achiever that be done on the parameters selected by the MSME during
the online self-assessment stage. The site assessment
corresponds to level 2, 3 & 4 respectively. The topmost
level is world-class at level 5. process typically takes 4 man-days.
Y The rating is based on a weighted average level.
Step 5 (ZED rating and certifications): Once the site-
Y The company is encouraged, handheld and trained to assessment is completed and the final report is submitted
achieve a higher level for each parameter and thus by the assessor, a ZED rating and a certificate is issued to
elevate itself in the maturity model. successful MSMEs. If the MSME's score is above 2.2 and up
to 2.5, then the rating is Bronze If the MSME's score is
ZED Process Flow above 2.5 and up to 3.0, then the rating is Silver if the
MSME's score is above 3.0 and up to 3.5, then the rating is
The journey of an MSME encompasses the following steps
Gold if the MSME's score is above 3.5 and up to 4.0, then
of for assessment. An MSME's journey of Zero Defect Zero
the rating is Diamond if the MSME's score is above 4.0 and
Effect to get ZED certified is explained in the following 7
steps: up to 5.0, then the rating is Platinum in case an MSME
scores 2.2 or lower, then no rating is provided.
Step 1 (Online registration): The MSME has to first register
online on www.zed.org.in. On right hand side of the web
page, MSME has to click on tab "Online Registration" to
register his details. An applicant can also directly log on to
link given below to register his details. http://
assessment.zed.org.in/Assessment/
Assessment_BeforeLogin.aspx. This simple step expresses an
MSME's intent to participate in the ZED scheme. The MSME
must have a working email ID & Udyog Aadhar number to
start the registration process. A ZED ID will be allotted to
MSME after completing the registration.

Step 2 (Online Self-assessment): The next step is a self-
assessment which an MSME will take using the ZED ID
provided after registration. This is an online activity where
the MSME will be assisted on the ZED parameters through This certification is valid for 4 years, after which the

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