Dr. Stefan GaraETA Environmental ConsultingETA Environmental ConsultingDr. Stefan GaraETA Environmental ConsultingETA Environmental Consulting

and and the role of the role of the verifierthe verifier

11stst Environmental Verifier in Austria since 1995 Environmental Verifier in Austria since 1995

Dr. Stefan Gara

EMAS in Austria

Austrian Environmental Management Act deregulation benefits for organisations

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future trend?future trend?

Dr. Stefan Gara

EMAS marketing campaign

www.emas.gv.at

Dr. Stefan Gara

Key to credibility?

credibility to credibility to whomwhom??… … accreditation bodyaccreditation body

… … local authoritieslocal authorities

… … NGOsNGOs

… … consumersconsumers

… … insuranceinsurance

… … financial analystsfinancial analysts

… …

Verifiers play a crucial role in the credibility of the EMAS regulation

Dr. Stefan Gara

Dr. Stefan Gara

What is the role of a verifier?

► authority?

► consultant?

► EMAS promoter?

► … ?

Function is defined in Annex V 5.4 … but there are different requests from “target groups”

Dr. Stefan Gara

All aspects should be addressed equally …social / social /

organizationalorganizational

technicaltechnical legallegal

increasing increasing focus on focus on legal legal compliance!compliance!

… in reality priorities are very different!

Dr. Stefan Gara

Indicators for best EMAS practice

… after all products & services play an important role

► leadership involvement / executive training (HR)

► long term commitment & performance

► open dialogue► eco procurement► eco design (products / services) ► eco criteria in financial asset

management

Dr. Stefan Gara

Conflict of interest?

► most verifiers are accredited for most verifiers are accredited for both EMAS & ISO 14.001both EMAS & ISO 14.001

► few verifiers “promote” EMAS few verifiers “promote” EMAS and rather prefer ISO 14.001!and rather prefer ISO 14.001!

► professional background & interest professional background & interest determine the focus towards determine the focus towards environmental issuesenvironmental issues

Dr. Stefan Gara

… are we walking in the same direction?

… are we walking in the same direction?

Dr. Stefan Gara

Dr. Stefan Gara

Outlook

► increased focus on legal complianceincreased focus on legal compliance

► sustainability reporting (CSR)sustainability reporting (CSR)

► constant “battle” over ISO 14.001constant “battle” over ISO 14.001

► increasing number of standardsincreasing number of standards

► tighter resourcestighter resources

EMASEMAS verifiers are facing new challenges

Dr. Stefan Gara

A chance for transparency

and democracy!

A chance for transparency

and democracy!

Dr. Stefan Gara