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EMAS certification. Beyond ISO 14001

EMAS. Beyond ISO 14001

The European EMAS ("Eco-Management and Audit Scheme") regulation defines a management and environmental audit scheme that is open to any type of organisation at an international level, regardless of its activity.

The environmental management model in this Regulation is based on ISO Standard 14001, and proposes an efficient system for helping organisations to manage and constantly improve their environmental performance. However, EMAS contains its own requirements, which turn it into a model of excellence for environmental management.

AENOR has been ENAC accredited as an environmental tester with accreditation number ES-V-0001 since 1996, having updated this accreditation to reflect the latest amendment of the EMAS Regulation, in accordance with EU Regulation 2018/2026.

Benefits of the EMAS Regulation

In addition to the advantages associated with implementing an ISO 14001 environmental management system, the EMAS regulation helps organisations contribute to the development of a Circular Economy, since the EMAS:

Requires laying out environmental performance indicators to analyse and measure the efficient use of resources, from a life cycle perspective, and a risk-based approach.
It allows not only ensuring legal compliance, but lets users prepare in anticipation of new environmental requirements, which helps to minimize risks from a preventive standpoint and to identify new business opportunities.
It necessarily requires employee involvement, making them aware of the importance of their participation in the management system. This approach has been customary of the EMAS Regulation from the start.
The Environmental Statement validated by an independent and certified monitor is a powerful communication tool that helps organisations to underscore the effort associated with implementing an environmental management system. It also represents an exercise in transparency that is recognised by all stakeholders, including government agencies.
It drives innovation, since, by encouraging constant improvement, the organisation has to research new consumption reduction targets, changes to processes, search for less polluting materials, and so on.

Sectoral Reference Documents (SRD)

Within the framework of Article 46 of the EMAS Regulation, the European Commission has endorsed the preparation and publication of "sectoral reference documents", containing BEMP (best environmental management practices), sector-specific environmental performance indicators and excellence benchmarks.
The organisations registered in EMAS have to take into account these SRD when developing and implementing their EMS, using it as a source of information for the ongoing improvement of their environmental performance.
Currently, these SRD have been published for the following sectors: Retail, Tourism, Food and beverage manufacture, Agriculture, Public Administration, Car Manufacturing, and Manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment.
For more information visit the website.

Integration with other systems

AENOR offers the option to undertake an audit as part of a single, integrated process for obtaining the Environmental Management System Certification, as per ISO 14001 and the EMAS Regulation.

In addition to being compatible with ISO 14001, EMAS also is compatible with other management systems, whether Environmental (Ecodesign, Energy Management), Quality (ISO 9001), or Workplace Health and Safety (ISO 45001). This optimises the audit process and reduces the time and expenses associated with both the implementation and the certification.

Marks and certificates

AENOR's EMAS Certificate demonstrates compliance with the requirements of Regulation 1221/2009 and its amendments as of the date of completion of the audit and validation of the Environmental Statement.

Once the AENOR verification has been carried out, the organisation can submit a request to the relevant organisation for admission to the EMAS register of the European Union, thus obtaining a license to use the EMAS logo.

EMAS logo

Our experience

In Spain, AENOR is the first environmental verification organisation accredited by the Spanish National Accreditation Body (ENAC) to perform verifications and validations in accordance with the EMAS Regulation. Currently, AENOR is accredited by ENAC for all business sectors. AENOR has certified over 600 companies in this scheme since 1995.

AENOR is also actively involved in forums and projects related to the EMAS Regulation, contributing its experience as a certified monitor:

ENHANCE Project

The goal of the ENHANCE (EMAS as a Nest to Help and Nurture the Circular Economy) Project is to improve the implementation of regional policy instruments for the adoption of EMAS by organisations, through the exchange of experiences and best practices related to the Regulation in the five participating countries. More information.

BRAVER Project

The BRAVER (Boosting Regulatory Advantages Vis à vis Emas Registration) Project is a continuation of the BRAVE project. The goal of BRAVER is to identify and develop efficient mechanisms of regulatory relief, analyse their applicability and assess their benefits. This will entail designing and laying out training and dissemination tools to promote these best practices. More information.

AENOR as an ENTITY COLLABORATING WITH THE GOVERNMENT on EMAS

AENOR, in addition to being an ENAC-certified monitor, is certified by some regional governments in Spain as a collaborating agency and has regulated EMAS verification activities in Valencia, Andalusia and Catalonia.