Page 44 - Banking Finance May 2021

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certification expires and the unit will have to apply again
for renewal before the certification expires.

Step 6 (Gap analysis and hand holding): The MSMEs with
a minimum Bronze rating will have the option to avail the
services of a ZED certified consultant. The gap analysis and
handholding activity in the scheme will be carried out by
accredited third-party consulting organizations & agencies
and certified consultants. ZED Certified Consultants from
these accredited agencies will conduct gap analysis on the
site and assist the MSMEs in implementing suggested
interventions that will improve their systems & processes
and get them higher ZED rating once implemented in its
true spirit. The handholding process will typically take 6
months.

Step 7 (Re-assessment): The MSME which has gone ZED Maturity Assessment Model is an integrated and
through the process of consulting by a ZED certified holistic Certification System, which accounts for processes
consultant will have the option to apply for a re-assessment related to:
if it feels that the Unit's systems and processes have Y Production Management
considerably improved. It may be noted that the subsidy Y Quality Management
applicable in the re-assessment process will only be provided Y Design Management
if the rating improves by one level, i.e. from bronze to silver
or silver to gold etc. An MSME can even opt for re- Y Safety Management
assessment without going through the process of consulting, Y Environmental Management
provided there is a gap of minimum six months between the Y Energy Management
earlier site-assessment.
Y Natural Resource Management
ZED PROCESS FLOW Y Human Resource Management
Y Intellectual Property Management

Y Performance Management

In the model, all along with the quality of products and
services, equal emphasis is on the elimination of adverse
impacts on the environment, through adequate planning at
product and process design, pre-production, production and
maintenance activities, post-production (disposal after use)
and outcome of environment performance. The net result
is sustainable development. Since each sector focuses on its
unique operating conditions, QCI has developed sector-
specific models that address these conditions.

In order to prepare the MSMEs to create a value chain for
the new regime, it is important that quality and
competitiveness of Indian MSME is enhanced over a period
of time. It will also provide an opportunity to units to strive
to continuously improve its processes thereby aiming to

44 | 2021 | MAY | BANKING FINANCE