Conformity Assessment, Certification & Assurance
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
The EU's voluntary environmental management and audit scheme (Regulation 1221/2009), going beyond ISO 14001 with verified public environmental statements.
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The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is the European Union's voluntary environmental management instrument, established by Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 (EMAS III). Registered organisations implement an environmental management system, undergo third-party verification by accredited environmental verifiers, and publish a validated environmental statement reporting performance against core indicators. EMAS builds on and exceeds ISO 14001, adding legal-compliance guarantees, employee involvement and transparent public reporting.
References
scheme scope and requirements
legal basis
Overview
What it means
The EU's premium environmental management label: ISO 14001 plus verified public disclosure.
How it is used
Thousands of European organisations and sites hold EMAS registration; registration supports regulatory relief in some member states and credible CSR reporting.
Why it matters
EMAS is the benchmark public scheme linking management systems to verified performance disclosure — a reference point for assurance-based environmental claims.
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