Govt Authorises EPFO Officers Under Social Security Code 2020

The Central Government has issued a notification authorising specified officers of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to function as authorised officers under Chapter III of the Code on Social Security, 2020, relating to Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

The notification seeks to operationalise statutory functions and enforcement mechanisms under the Code in relation to provident fund administration.

1. Officers Authorised Under Chapter III of the Code

The following officers have been authorised to function as authorised officers for purposes of Chapter III of the Code on Social Security, 2020:

• Central Provident Fund Commissioner
• Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner
• Regional Provident Fund Commissioner
• Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

These officers shall exercise powers and perform functions in accordance with the provisions governing Employees’ Provident Fund under the Code.

2. Applicability to Employees’ Provident Fund Provisions

The authorisation specifically relates to Chapter III of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which deals with matters concerning:

• Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)
• Provident fund administration and compliance
• Employer obligations relating to provident fund contributions
• Enforcement and implementation of EPF-related provisions

The notification forms part of the implementation framework under the labour code regime.

3. Role of Authorised Officers

The notified officers shall function as authorised officers for purposes of implementation and enforcement of provident fund-related provisions under the Code.

Their functions may include:

• Administration of EPF provisions
• Compliance monitoring
• Exercise of statutory powers under Chapter III
• Enforcement of provident fund obligations
• Regulatory and procedural oversight under the social security framework

4. Objective of the Notification

The notification aims to operationalise the Employees’ Provident Fund framework under the Code on Social Security, 2020 by formally designating competent officers for implementation and enforcement.

The move seeks to ensure effective administration, compliance oversight and enforcement of provident fund-related obligations under the social security regime.