EMAS - Publications & studies

General information on EMAS

3x3 Good reasons for EMAS

This EMAS brochure provides 9 reasons as to why a company or organisation should register for EMAS: resource efficiency, climate protection, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), legal compliance, supply chain management & Green Public Procurement (GPP), credible information, performance measurement, employee engagement, and stakeholder involvement. The brochure gives a thorough explanation of each reason for registering with EMAS.

Download the 2012 brochure here: EN, FR, DE

EMAS leaflet

This leaflet contains brief information about everything you need to know about EMAS. It can be used by the organizations or competent bodies for promotional purposes.

Download the leaflet here (2022).

Publications for companies and other organisations

EMAS Amendment 2017/18 - All changes at a glance

In the course of the planned revision of the EMAS Regulation and the amendment of ISO 14001:2015, the European Commission has revised Annexes I-IV of the EMAS Regulation and the EMAS User's Guide. The aim of the revision was to ensure the continued compatibility of EMAS with an environmental management system according to ISO 14001. This brochure serves as a reference document for organisations to guide them through the changes to the Amendment of the EMAS Regulation.

Download the document here (2021).

EMAS presentation for organisations

This presentation gives a short introduction to EMAS, its objectives and benefits, and the registration process. You can use this presentation to learn more about EMAS or explain it to your stakeholders, especially if you are considering joining the scheme.

You can download this presentation in PDF format or in a PowerPoint version that can be adapted to your needs. This presentation is available in English (2022).

Fact sheet: “The revised Annexes I, II and III of the EMAS Regulation”

In 2017, Annexes I to III of the EMAS Regulation were revised. To help organisations implement the changes, a factsheet summarises the new requirements and their significance.

Download the fact sheet here (2017).

Case study "EMAS and the food and beverage sector"

Economically, the food and beverage sector has a strategic role to play in the EU market. From an environmental view, the sector generates various impacts on the environment. Mitigating these impacts is thus critical for this sector to pave the way to sustainability. In this case study three organisations from the food and beverage sector report about their experiences with EMAS. Based on this, an overview of the benefits EMAS has to offer for the food and beverage sector is given.

Download the case study here (2021).

Case study "EMAS and the education sector"

From an environmental point of view, education and training centres, like many other activities, generate various impacts on the environment related to their activities and the management of the different sort of premises they build or occupy. In this case study three organisations from the education sector report about their experiences with EMAS. Based on this, an overview of the benefits EMAS has to offer for the education sector is given.

Download the case study here (2021).

Case study "EMAS and the agricultural sector"

This case study presents best practices from organisations operating in the agricultural sector.

Download the case study here (2021).

Case study "Writing and disseminating the environmental statement"

This case study shows best practices from organisations in terms of content, presentation and dissemination of the environmental statement and gives recommendations.

Download the case study here (2020).

Case study "Involving public bodies and cooperating institutions in the promotion of EMAS"

This case study presents best practices from Competent Bodies in the Member States to promote EMAS with the help of public bodies and other institutions.

Download the case study here (2020).

Case study "EMAS' role in the transition to sustainable finace"

This case study summarizes the current developments in the European Union regarding sustainable finance and highlights the relevance of sustainable management and the potential role of EMAS.

Download the case study here (2020).

Case study "EMAS and the tourism sector"

Europe is the world’s leading tourist destination, leading to various environmental impacts. In this case study four organisations from the tourism sector report about their experiences with EMAS. Based on this, an overview of the benefits EMAS has to offer for the tourism sector is given.

Download the case study here (2020).

Case study "EMAS as a driver of change"

For the 2019 edition of the EMAS Awards, the European Commission acknowledged the achievements of EMAS registered organisations that implemented EMAS as a driver of change towards sustainable transition through a long-term holistic vision for a positive impact on sustainable development as a whole. This case study presents best practice examples from the 2019 EMAS Awards nominees.

Download the case study in English or in French (2020).

Case study “EMAS in the waste sector”

The waste sector is essential to the economy and sustainable development of the European Union. Yet it also faces strict regulations and pressure from public authorities, local communities and business partners to improve its environmental performance. EMAS can help organisations from the sector monitor their legal compliance and reduce their environmental impacts. The case study uses the examples of URBASER, CLD and the Val di Non community to illustrate the benefits of EMAS.

Download the case study here (2018).

Case study “Involving employees in implementing EMAS”

This case study shows the importance of employee participation and illustrates different ways to succeed at it.

Download the case study here (2018).

EMAS & circular economy

The report highlights the contribution of EMAS organisations to the circular economy. The example of leading organisations is used to illustrate how organisations can implement a circular economy strategy, in 5 easy steps. It also features case studies and guidance for EMAS organisations willing to make their environmental management system more circular. But the report also targets non-registered organisations and authorities, which may use EMAS to achieve greater resource efficiency.

Download the report and the fact sheet to find out more (2017).

EMAS & biodiversity

The publication “EMAS & biodiversity - How to address biodiversity protection through environmental management systems” provides guidance to EMAS registered organisations when reporting on biodiversity. Many of the recommendations are also applicable to non-registered organisations.

Download the 2016 version here: EN, DE

Download positive examples of biodiversity management here:

HIPP (EMAS registered since 1995)
Kneissler Brüniertechnik (EMAS-registered since 1997)
Rheinsberger Preussenquelle (EMAS-registered since 2016)
Märkisches Landbrot (EMAS-registered since 1995)

Tools to implement EMAS

To help any organisation implement EMAS, the Helpdesk developed 4 Excel tools that can be used to collect and analyse data about the organisation. The tools are designed to be easy to use. Key environmental indicators are, for example, automatically calculated based on data provided by the organisation.

To learn more, visit the Tools section of the website.

Implementing EMAS in SMEs: Case study of La Page Original

Find out how easy it is for SMEs to adopt EMAS through the testimony of one of the smallest EMAS-registered organisations in the EU.

The case study can be accessed here (2017).

Study on the costs and benefits of EMAS to registered organisations

This study analyses the costs and benefits as well as the incentives and barriers encountered by EMAS registrants. The study also identifies best practices that help organisations to realise maximum benefits from the application of EMAS.

Download the 2009 version.

Publications for public authorities

The path to greenhouse gas neutral administration

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has published a guide that provides methodological, organisational and practical advice for public administrations that want to take on a role model function in climate protection. Although the guide focuses on the role of public administrations, it is also highly relevant for other organisations. The guide is informed by an EMAS perspective.

Download the guide here (2021).

EMAS presentation for public authorities

This presentation has been developed to briefly explain EMAS and its benefits for public authorities. The links between EMAS and other policies are highlighted as well as its added value compared to other instruments. You can use this presentation to assess how relevant EMAS can be to you, and how you could support the scheme, based on the experience of other Member States.

You can download this presentation in PDF format or in a PowerPoint version that can be adapted to your needs. This presentation is available in English (2022).

Compendium of promotional and policy support measures in the Member States

The Compendium on EMAS Promotion and Policy Support gives an overview of instruments used in the Member States to support and reward the efforts of EMAS organisations. It explains the benefits of EMAS incentives for participating organisations and also for regulators and policymakers, providing a wide range of examples from the Member States.

Download the 2015 version here.

Reinforcing Added Value for EMAS (RAVE) study

The study explores measures for strengthening EMAS Added Value to authorities and organisations. It investigates three aspects in particular: the potential of regulatory relief in driving EMAS registrations and bringing benefits to authorities, the capacity of EMAS to facilitate reporting to authorities and its capacity to trigger business opportunities. The experience of 11 Member States is presented and best practices are highlighted to help Member States make the best use of EMAS.

Download the full report here.

And its separate annexes:

More information on the study is also available in the RAVE study section of the website.

EMAS Fitness Check: Evaluation of the EMAS Regulation

The Fitness Check was carried out in 2017 by the Commission to analyse the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and EU added value of the EMAS regulation. It is accompanied by an evaluation study providing numbers on EMAS, analysing its costs and benefits and its contribution to reducing environmental impacts. The study also looks ahead and discusses different scenarios for the future of EMAS.

The different documents can be found here.

Drivers for EMAS Success: 3 Case Studies of EMAS implementation in Austria, Germany and Italy

The brochure Analysing the Success Drivers of EMAS in Selected Member States consists of three individual case studies carried out in Italy, Austria and Germany. The case studies investigate key drivers and initiatives that have allowed these Member States to achieve a highly successful uptake of EMAS.

You can download the complete brochure or the individual case studies: case study on Italy, case study on Austria, case study on Germany.

EMAS in Germany: Evaluation of the scheme in 2012

This study was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety to evaluate the performance of EMAS in the national context. It is based on the findings of an extensive survey among German organisations concerning their usage of EMAS.

Download it here.

Older publications

“Step up to EMAS”: Study on Guidelines for Transition from Non-Formal EMS and ISO 14001 to EMAS

This study, launched by the DG Environment of the European Commission, provides valuable information for organisations that have already implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) different than EMAS. It analyses the differences between EMAS and twenty of the most relevant regional, national or sector-specific non-formal EMS, as well as EN/ISO 14001, outlining a step-by-step approach that organisations can take in order to move from each EMS to EMAS. Implementing the premium-standard EMAS can add significant value to organisations.

For each EMS included in the study, a fact sheet and a summary brochure have been developed. Special guidelines for a transition to EMAS were developed for selected EMS.

Download the documents (2009).

Fact Sheet “EMAS and the revised ISO 14001”

This document summarises the changes of the standard ISO 14001 published in 2015. Because EMAS integrates ISO 14001 (so that it is very easy to step up to EMAS), the fact sheet presents the expected adaptations to EMAS. It is available in EN, IT, ES, FR, PL, DE (2016).

A more recent fact sheet presents the changes made to the Annexes of the EMAS Regulation to integrate this new version of ISO 14001. It is available in EN (2017).

Fact Sheet “EMAS and Energy Management”

Management systems such as EMAS and ISO 50 001 help companies improve their energy efficiency. This fact sheet presents the links between the two and helps you identify which one is best for you.

Access the document here (2013).

Fact Sheet “Greening the campus with EMAS”

This two-page document explains why and how universities can use EMAS to become more sustainable (2013).

Fact Sheet “EMAS in the tourism sector”

The tourism sector has significant environmental impacts. Using EMAS to reduce them also makes sense from an economic point-of-view. Discover why in the fact sheet (2013).

Fact Sheet “EMAS and ISO 26000”

ISO 26000 is an international standard providing guidance on social responsibility. EMAS can be used to implement its recommendations, as demonstrated in this fact sheet (2013).

Fact Sheet “EMAS Global: Superior Environmental Management Worldwide”

EMAS is applicable worldwide. Companies and other organisations outside the European Union will find more information on how to apply in this fact sheet (2012).

Fact Sheet “EMAS Boosts Resource Efficiency”

Resource efficiency is a priority for the European Union. This two-page document highlights the contribution of EMAS-registered organisations and describes how EMAS can help any organisation to better manage its resources. The 2011 fact sheet is still relevant and can be downloaded here.

Guideline "EMAS in sporting events"

In this guidance document you can find detailed information on how to implement EMAS in the context of sporting events. You can download the guideline here (2004).

Leaflet “EMAS and sporting events"

This short leaflet (2004) is about greening sporting events with EMAS and is based on this Guideline.