Analyse how the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme ensures regulatory transparency and prevents greenwashing. Why is a standardized framework crucial for building global consumer trust in Indian exports?

The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme creates a verifiable national benchmark for what qualifies as “green” hydrogen. By tying certification to measured emissions, third-party audits and digital traceability, it improves regulatory clarity and limits false claims.

• Clear rules: It applies a well-to-gate emissions test, capping green hydrogen at 2 kg CO2e per kg of hydrogen over the previous 12 months.
• Independent verification: Accredited Carbon Verifiers and the Technical Committee examine data, plant performance and compliance.
• Traceability: The portal enables application tracking, automated PCF validation and QR-based certificate checks.
• Staged accountability: Concept, facility, provisional and final certificates ensure progressive scrutiny before official recognition.

A standardized framework is crucial because global buyers need one trusted, comparable benchmark for carbon intensity and compliance, which builds confidence, meets evolving foreign norms and protects Indian exports from greenwashing allegations.