EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme)

EMAS, the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, is a voluntary framework developed by the European Union to help organisations improve their environmental performance. It promotes not only better environmental management but also transparency and credible communication of an organisation's environmental efforts.

What is EMAS?

EMAS is an environmental management scheme that allows organisations to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance. It was established by Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (known as EMAS III). It is designed to be compatible with ISO 14001, whose requirements are integrated into the EMAS environmental management system, but EMAS goes further by adding requirements on legal compliance, employee involvement, performance reporting and an independently verified public statement.

The aim of EMAS is to encourage continuous improvement in environmental performance through an environmental management system, internal audits and the publication of a third-party-verified environmental statement.

Key features of EMAS

• It is voluntary: organisations join on their own initiative.
• It is built around the continuous evaluation and improvement of environmental performance.
• It requires the publication of an environmental statement verified by an independent, accredited environmental verifier.
• It is open to all types of organisation, regardless of size or sector, in any country.

How does EMAS work?

Implementing EMAS involves several stages that an organisation must follow to achieve and keep its registration:

1. Initial environmental review: identify the significant environmental aspects of the organisation's activities, products and services, such as energy use, waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Environmental management system: implement a system based on the review, with clear objectives, operational procedures and an action plan for continuous improvement.
3. Internal audit: carry out periodic audits to check that the system is effective and that objectives are being met.
4. Environmental statement: prepare a statement setting out environmental performance, objectives achieved and areas for improvement, verified by an accredited external verifier.
5. Registration: apply for registration with the competent authority. Once approved, the organisation can use the EMAS logo to communicate its commitment.

Benefits of EMAS

1. Better environmental performance: continuous improvement reduces impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource use.
2. Transparency and credibility: verified environmental statements increase trust with customers, investors and other stakeholders.
3. Regulatory compliance: EMAS helps organisations comply with environmental law and anticipate future requirements.
4. Competitive advantage: registration helps organisations differentiate themselves through a credible commitment to sustainability.
5. Resource efficiency: a well-run environmental management system can deliver real cost savings on energy and water.

EMAS and the carbon footprint

Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the environmental aspects an organisation reviews and manages under EMAS, so the scheme supports efforts to measure and reduce the carbon footprint. A reliable emissions inventory helps identify where emissions come from and where reduction measures will have most effect, and feeds directly into the EMAS environmental statement.

How Manglai can help

A solid EMAS environmental statement depends on good environmental data. At Manglai we help organisations measure their carbon footprint and organise the environmental data behind schemes such as EMAS and standards such as ISO 14001. Discover how Manglai can help you.