Contact person
Amar Hondo
Projektledare
Contact AmarEMAS (The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme)
An environmental management system registered according to EMAS provides conditions for effective and systematic environmental work that adds value to the organisation and its customers. The requirement to externally communicate their environmental performance development increases an organisation’s credibility among stakeholders, which in turn can
Purpose
EMAS is based on the values:
- Performance – by finding the right tools to improve environmental performance in line with industry practice on environmental management
- Credibility – third-party verification guarantees the external and independent nature of the EMAS registration process
- Transparency – organisations that register for EMAS make an active choice regarding the organisation’s openness relating to environmental management and environmental performance externally through their environmental audit and internally through the active involvement of employees
Management systems that are built up according to EMAS essentially follow the ISO 14001 structure with a number of specific additional requirements, including annual reporting of environmental performance and commitments concerning employee collaborations in environmental work. It contributes to the organisation’s understanding of the environmental performance development of its operations, and serves as a tool for reducing environmental impact through continuous improvement. The management system is management’s tool for controlling how the organisation’s environmental work is planned, implemented, followed up, and continuously improved in connection with its environmental performance, which is measured through several predetermined core indicators.
The EU is developing sectoral guidelines on environmental management practices and performance, which will afford opportunities to compare operators in the industry in a harmonised manner.
Any organisation can register for EMAS, regardless of whether they already have an ISO 14001-certified management system.
Method
The responsible authority in Sweden for registration and renewal of registration is the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, with RISE serving as an accredited environmental verifier in the process.
An independent accredited environmental verifier at RISE reviews the organisation’s environmental investigation in the initial phase prior to the first registration. The organisation’s environmental policy is based on the report submitted to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency along with other documents pertaining to the organisation’s registration application.
A compliance review based on the environmental audit and the performance development of the organisation is carried out during an annual audit at intervals of 12 months. Renewal of registration takes place every three years. For smaller companies, there is an option for extended intervals (EMAS Easy).
The approach to verification via RISE differs depending on whether the organisation already has an ISO 14001-certified management system.
The process is essentially similar to RISE’s description of our Certification Process for management systems.
Deliveries
When the organisation meets the requirements of EMAS, it is granted the right to use the EMAS logo for communication and promotional purposes. This increases awareness among customers and other stakeholders of the organisation’s environmental work, which can help increase the demand for the organisation’s goods and services.