What is EMAS?
EMAS means Eco Management and Audit Scheme. This is a voluntary scheme designed for companies and
other organisations that are willing to commit themselves to evaluate, manage
and improve their environmental performance.
Where are the EMAS requirements Specified?
EMAS requirements are specified in EU Council
Regulation 1221 of 2009.
Is there any guidance on EMAS?
What are the differences between EMS
and EMAS?
Environmental Management System (EMS) allows an
organisation to plan, improve and measure their environmental performance
against set targets each year. EMAS incorporates EN ISO 14001 as the
Environmental Management System but also ensures that it is compliant with all
national and EU environmental regulations, has continuous improvement of
environmental performance each year, involves its employees in this process,
and issues an annual Environmental Statement.
These Environmental Statements demonstrate how the
standards in environmental performance are maintained and improved every year
by outlining the results achieved during each year. To ensure transparency, the
Statement must be made available to the public.
How can I obtain EMAS?
Companies wishing to have their site registered to
EMAS must first have their system evaluated by accredited EMAS environmental
verifiers. Following a successful evaluation, the validated environmental
statement together with the verification report should be sent to the National
EMAS Competent Body which is responsible for registering your site with the
Commission. Once your registration is accepted it will be listed on the
Commission webpage at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/about/participate/sites_en.htm
It is also recommended that a meeting is held with
the National EMAS Competent Body.
Who is the National EMAS Competent Body
in Malta?
The national EMAS Competent Body in Malta is the
Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority. Further information may be
found at http://mccaa.org.mt/en/emas or
by sending an email to info.
From where can I find an EMAS Verifier?
How can I become an EMAS Verifier?
You need to pass through an accreditation process.
The accreditation body in Malta is the National Accreditation Board
(NAB-MALTA). Any interested organization is encouraged first to hold a meeting
with the NAB-MALTA. This will then be followed by the completion of application
forms NABAF01 and NABAF01/C,
together with all the relevant documentation, to the NAB-MALTA. A desk review
on the documentation sent will be carried out by a selected NAB-MALTA
assessment team and the Verifier is then witnessed carrying out a verification.
The report is then submitted to the Board for the final decision on
accreditation.
What are the Functions of the NAB-MALTA
in relation to EMAS?
The NAB-MALTA is responsible for the accreditation
of EMAS Verifiers. It is also responsible for the supervision of the activities
in Malta of EMAS Verifiers accredited by other EMAS accreditation bodies from
EU and EFTA countries.
What should a Foreign Verifier working
in Malta do?
Foreign verifier, on the basis of Article 23 Para.
2 and Article 24of the EMAS Regulation 1221/2009, must document and evidence
the knowledge of the legal matters and the language of the country in which
he/she plans to perform the verification.
The foreign verifier at least 4 weeks in advance
shall notify the NAB-MALTA with the following information to
1. Its accreditation or license details,
2. Competences, in particular
· knowledge of
legal requirements relating to the environment
· knowledge of
English or Maltese
· team competences
3. the time and place of the verification and
validation
4. the address and contact details of the
organisation
The NAB-MALTA may request clarification of the
verifier’s knowledge of the necessary applicable legal requirements relating to
the environment.