EMAS

What is EMAS? (Eco-management and audit scheme)

Since the nineties, protection and improvement of the environment have been one of the main objectives of the European Union. However, the analysis of effectiveness of administrative methods based on legal regulations, according to the rule "command and control", proved that it is necessary to promote voluntary, environmentally friendly attitudes and rules. This concept provided the basis for new legal regulations of a so called "new approach" which encourage organizations to take voluntary obligations to protect the natural environment. One of the "new approach" regulations is:

• - Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 of The European Parliament and The Council of 19 March 2001 allowing voluntary participation by organizations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme.

In Poland, the functioning of EMAS is regulated by:

• - The Act of 12 March 2004 on the national eco-management and audit scheme EMAS (Journal of Law no.70, item 631) and executive acts of 23 April 2004.

National eco-management and audit scheme is created by (according to article 2 of the Act):

• The Minister of Environment - competent body,
• Voivode - cooperation with the Minister of Environment,
• Polish Centre For Accreditation - accreditation body,
• National Eco-management Council - advisory body.

Characteristics of EMAS:

• a legal system in EU countries which promotes the idea of voluntary participation in the area of environmental protection,
• acting with respect to legal regulations is absolulety required; promises and obligations to follow these regulations are not enough,
• continual improvement has to be proved regularly, not as a single action.

Main elements of EMAS:

• conducting environmental review to evaluate the environmental impact of the organization,
• establishing an effective environmental management system according to PN-EN ISO 14001,
• providing other organizations with information about environmental statement and EMAS logo.

EMAS objectives:

• reduced adverse impact on the environment,
• compliance with legal requirements in the scope of environmental protection,
• usage of clean technologies,
• prevention and reduction of waste,
• full and competent information to local communities on organization's influence on the environment.

The latest news

We are glad to inform you that the Department has received the accreditation of the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) to conduct EMAS verification, according to Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 of The European Parliament and The Council of 19 March 2001 allowing voluntary participation by organizations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme. We have become one of the first certification units authorised to conduct EMAS verification which is supervised by the Minster of Environment - a body responsible for the functioning and promotion of the system.