Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

EMAS stands for "Eco-Management and Audit Scheme". It is an environmental management tool from the European Union granted to organisations that have made efforts in enhancing their environmental performance. EMAS is similar to ISO 14001 certification but goes beyond its scope. It is also recognised internationally as a certification in the world of sustainability, transparent public reporting and legal compliance. To attain EMAS certification, an organisation must examine the impact it has on the environment, plan on how to improve in the future then check the progress and publish a statement on its green performance after externally verifying it by an accredited auditor.

The goal of EMAS is to drive organisations towards circularity, resource efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment. For further information on EMAS, please visit the European Commission’s official EMAS webpage.

Having an EMAS certification can benefit an organisation in the following ways:

• Improved environmental performance
• Improved legal compliance
• Better identification of overall corporate responsibilities
• Reduced risks for environmental accidents
• Cost savings (through energy, water, materials, and waste reductions)
• Improved relations with stakeholders
• Regulatory certainty
• Employee involvement
• Public involvement and transparency (validated environmental statement, open communication, EMAS logo use)
• Enhanced credibility and market recognition (independent verification and Competent Body registration)
• Better data quality and reporting readiness (core indicators, comparable KPIs)
• Risk management and resilience (systematic review, preventive actions)
• Supply chain engagement (extending environmental criteria to suppliers)

To acquire EMAS registration the following steps must be taken:

1) Conduct an Environmental review

2) Define an Environmental Policy

3) Develop an Environmental Programme

4) Establish and implement the Environmental Management System

5) Carry out an internal Environmental audit

6) Prepare an Environmental statement

7) Obtain independent verification and validation from an Environmental verifier

8) Register with the Competent Body of the relevant member state

Further information on the benefits of EMAS and the registration process can be found on the European Commission website.

European Commission

The European Commission develops and oversees the EMAS system at EU level and has established the EMAS helpdesk to respond to questions from organisations and the public.

What is the Competent Body?

The EMAS Competent Body is the nationally designated authority that registers organisations in EMAS and oversees the quality and integrity of the scheme in its country.

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment serves as the Competent Body for Ireland. Applications for EMAS certification are submitted to the Department

What does an Accreditation Body do?

Accreditation bodies perform the accreditation and supervision of environmental verifiers. The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) serve as the Accreditation Body for Ireland.

EMAS Verifiers

There are currently no EMAS Verifiers in Ireland but organisations seeking EMAS certification may use a verifier from another country. These can be found through the interactive map on the European Commission website.

Organisations

'Organisation' means a company, corporation, firm, enterprise, authority or institution, located inside or outside the EU, or part or combination thereof, whether incorporated or not, public or private, which has its own functions and administration.

• European Green Deal
• EMAS Regulation
• General information on EMAS
• EMAS helpdesk

For queries regarding EMAS, please email circulareconomy@dcee.gov.ie