The EMAS scheme: a management tool and instrument of environmental policy

The European Union Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1836/93 (allowing voluntary participation by companies in the industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme), called EMAS, is an example of the new market-oriented environmental policies pursued by the European Community. The EMAS system is a comprehensive environmental management system involving both external assessment (verification) and provision of the relevant information to the public. This paper shows that a key factor for making the EMAS scheme successful, both as a management tool and as an instrument of environmental policy, is the setting of goals and targets for the environmental policy and programs. Also essential is the way the commitment to continuous improvement of environmental performance is carried out, and how this improvement is evaluated. It is important that the environmental authorities give special attention to these factors when they promote the implementation of the EMAS scheme.