EMAS in practice – Results of a survey

The European Union's voluntary environmental management system (EMAS) aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to systematically improve their environmental performance and at the same time cut costs. EMAS is revised and adapted to the latest requirements at regular intervals.

Against the background of the upcoming EMAS III revision, an online survey conducted by adelphi sought to identify more closely the potential of EMAS as a modern management instrument. A total of 179 EMAS-validated companies and organisations in Germany took part in the survey. The keynote topics of the survey were: EMAS and its link to climate change and diminution of resources; EMAS and reporting; EMAS and public-sector procurement; the EMAS revision; and the quality of EMAS-related Internet platforms.

The results of the survey were subsequently published by adelphi and distributed to all EMAS participants and interested parties.