Implementation of EMAS
Defining an environmental policy
Environmental policy is one of the central elements of the EMAS system, which expresses the organisation's guiding principles and objectives in environmental protection and provides the basis for setting specific objectives and actions. The preparation of the environmental policy is based on the results of the environmental review and the commitment of the management to ensure a clear, understandable direction that is in line with the organisation's activities.
For more information on the definition of environmental policy, see Annex II of the EMAS Regulation (Section A.5.2), the EMAS Guide (Chapter 3) and the EMAS Interactive Guide.
Important to know concerning this step
Environmental policy must be based on the organisation's actual environmental impacts and risks, which are identified in the initial environmental assessment (point A.5.2 of Annex II to the EMAS Regulation).
First, look at which activities have the greatest impact on the environment (e.g. energy or water use, waste, emissions). Next, it must be determined in which areas the reduction of environmental impact or increase efficiency is the most important.
The environmental policy must be appropriate to the nature of the organisation, its size, its activities, the environmental impact of its products and services (Annex III, A.5.2(a) of the EMAS Regulation).
The organisation must think through which environmental principles and values are followed.
For example:
- Does the company want to reduce material consumption, waste or emissions?
- Is the company ready to use more environmentally friendly technologies?
- Which environmental goals are the most strategically important for the organization?
These principles must provide a framework for the setting of environmental objectives (Annex II, A.5.2(b) of the EMAS Regulation).
In environmental policy, the management must formulate specific principles and obligations.
The policy must include at least the following obligations (points A.5.2(c) to (e) of the EMAS Regulation):
- Protecting the environment, including preventing pollution.
- Pledges on sustainable resource use, climate change adaptation or biodiversity protection (if applicable).
- Compliance with legislation and other obligations.
- Continuous improvement of environmental performance.
The policy must be:
- documented,
- communicated internally,
- available to interested parties (e.g. online, on an information board, in an environmental report).
Good environmental policy:
- expresses the organisation's principles and priorities in environmental protection;
- provides a clear basis for setting environmental goals and tasks,
- is understandable and accessible to employees and interested parties,
- supports compliance with EMAS requirements and continuous improvement of environmental performance.
References
Annex I of the EMAS Regulation (Environmental Review)
Annex II of the EMAS Regulation (Environmental Management System Requirements)
EMAS Annex III (Internal Environmental Audit)
Annex IV of the EMAS Regulation (environmental reporting)
Annex V of the EMAS Regulation (EMAS logo)
Annex VI of the EMAS Regulation (information requirements for registration)
Annex VII of the EMAS Regulation (verifier's declaration of verification and validation)
Contacts
In case of any questions or to get advice, please contact the Environmental Agency. The Environmental Agency acts as the competent authority of EMAS in Estonia.