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?
Yes. The Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/documents/guidance_en.htm
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 ISO14001 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://www.msa.org.mt/emas
or by sending an email to
info.
From where can I find an EMAS
Verifier?
EMAS Verifiers are listed on the official EU EMAS Website at
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/tools/contacts/countrymap_en.htm
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.
