Government urges UK plc to adopt certified EMSs
The UK Government has taken the unusual step of publishing a position statement outlining the benefits to organisations of implementing a robust and effective environmental management system (EMS). In doing so, the government is calling for a far wider take-up from British organisations.
The statement sets out how EMS’s can help organisations understand their environmental impacts, comply with legislation, improve their environmental performance and stimulate more sustainable practices.
It also acknowledges that certification to a recognised standard – such as ISO 14001, EMAS and BS 8555 – by an independent third party is important in realizing many of the benefits provided by an EMS. Companies with a certified EMS are given greater recognition by the Environment Agency under Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control (IPPC) Regulations. They also benefit under the Climate Change Agreements, the Ospar Strategy for offshore exploration and production operators and in the marketplace for contract compliance.
Commenting on the benefits an EMS can bring business, Environment Minister, Elliot Morley, said: “Robust EMSs provide organisations with a powerful and practical tool that can help them reduce their environmental impacts systematically, be more efficient in the way that they use natural resources, and manage their supply chain more effectively.
“There are bottom line business opportunities too including cost savings, and access to new markets.
"For example, in future, companies that operate an effective environmental management system may have more procurement opportunities, as the public sector and others move to source materials and services from companies that take their impacts on the environment seriously.”
Further information on the IEMA Acorn Scheme is available at:
The statement which was published in September 2005 can be read in full at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/index.htm
LRQA General Manager, Mike James commenting on the position statement said: “This is unequivocal support and recognition from Government that accredited certified EMSs can make a real difference where implemented correctly. We are seeing strengthening recognition and interest from organisations of all sizes in the need to seek external recognition of their EMSs. With the introduction of the IEMA Acorn Scheme, we expect this to rise.
“Since our inception, LRQA has been a strong advocate of independent regulation through accreditation bodies, such as The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). As the first certification body in the UK to achieve open scope for environmental management systems, our customers can be assured of a fair, but robust assessment.
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