EMAS verification

What does the EMAS Regulation offer?

The implementation of the EMAS Regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) brings benefits in terms of sustainability, efficiency and corporate reputation.

Having EMAS verification – which requires the publication of an environmental statement verified by an accredited auditor – reinforces environmental credibility, improves transparency towards customers and authorities, reduces legal risks and demonstrates a genuine commitment to sustainability and continuous environmental improvement, by applying BATs.

Thus, EMAS environmental certification turns environmental management into a sustainable competitive advantage, strengthening the company’s environmental responsibility and leadership.

Steps to achieving EMAS verification

Obtaining EMAS verification involves a structured process that ensures the environmental management system complies with Regulation 1221/2009 and promotes the continuous improvement of environmental performance:

  1. Implementing an environmental management system. We help you implement an environmental management system compliant with ISO 14001, the technical basis for EMAS verification. This includes context analysis, identification of environmental aspects and impacts, legal compliance and improvement objectives, and the Management Review.
  2. Conduct an EMAS audit. Prior to external verification, an internal EMAS environmental audit must be carried out to assess the effectiveness of the system and rectify any non-conformities.
  3. Draft the EMAS Environmental Statement. The company must prepare an environmental statement, a public document reflecting its policy, objectives, results and commitments to environmental improvement, with verifiable and up-to-date data. We will draft the Environmental Statement for you based on the guidelines and data you provide.
  4. Verification by an accredited verifier. An accredited environmental verifier reviews the management system, the environmental statement and compliance with the requirements of the EMAS Regulation. If the result is satisfactory, they validate the documentation.
    We help you choose the environmental verifier who will provide you with the most value and support you throughout the verification process.
  5. EMAS registration. Following validation, the organisation submits the documentation to the relevant national authority. Once approved, it is officially entered in the EMAS Register.
  6. Periodic review and renewal. The EMAS certificate must be renewed annually or every three years, depending on the size of the organisation, to ensure continuous improvement and environmental transparency. With our ISO outsourcing service, we help you maintain your EMAS environmental certification.

EMAS Certification FAQs

Which is better, EMAS or ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 sets out the requirements for an environmental management system, whilst EMAS adds further requirements such as a validated environmental statement and independent verification by an accredited third party, thereby providing greater reliability and international recognition.

Both EMAS verification and ISO 14001 certification are robust tools for improving an organisation’s environmental management. The difference lies in the level of commitment: whilst ISO 14001 certification provides a solid foundation, EMAS verification offers added transparency, verification and official recognition within the European Union.

The EMAS Environmental Statement is a public, verified document that sets out the environmental policy, integrated management system and environmental performance of an organisation registered with the Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Its purpose is to ensure transparency, credibility and continuous improvement by communicating the organisation’s officially validated environmental impacts, achievements and sustainability commitments.

EMAS environmental certification (the Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is the verification that an organisation complies with the requirements of the Community Eco-Management and Audit Regulation, which recognises organisations that have implemented an EMAS environmental management and audit system and have made a commitment to continuous improvement, as evidenced by EMAS certification.

EMAS environmental certification is a voluntary scheme, enshrined in European legislation, which awards EMAS certification to organisations that have implemented an Environmental Management System and made an additional commitment to continuous improvement, verified through independent audits.

During the EMAS verification process, the following are assessed in order to obtain EMAS certification:

  • Compliance with applicable environmental legislation.
  • The effectiveness of the environmental management system in place.
  • The accuracy and consistency of the data included in the environmental statement.
  • The commitment to continuous improvement of environmental performance.

Choosing EmasConsultors to achieve EMAS certification means having a team of experts in environmental management, sustainability and continuous improvement at your disposal. Our experience in implementing management systems in accordance with ISO 14001 and the EMAS Regulation ensures an effective verification process, tailored to your company’s needs.

We offer a personalised, responsive and transparent service, supporting you through every stage: from implementing the system to having your Environmental Statement validated by an accredited verifier.

Furthermore, we help you communicate your environmental achievements and integrate EMAS into your corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and sustainable competitiveness.

With EMAS Consultors, your company not only achieves EMAS verification, but also a genuine commitment to environmental excellence and continuous improvement.

Once registration has been granted, the EMAS Certificate remains valid provided that the organisation successfully passes the periodic validations of its Environmental Statement and the full verifications of its management system, in accordance with the cycles established by the competent authority.

Absolutely. The EMAS Regulation is designed to integrate seamlessly with other international standards. In fact, many organisations that already have quality or occupational health and safety systems in place find that EMAS provides the perfect framework for raising their environmental performance to the highest European standard.

The EMAS Regulation can be easily integrated with ISO standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, and ISO 50001 for energy management.

Any organisation, regardless of its size or sector (public or private), can apply for EMAS environmental certification. It is particularly valued in industrial and service sectors seeking to demonstrate strict legal compliance and complete transparency to their stakeholders.