Starting from this week, interested organisations can register for free of charge training sessions and seminars concerning the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Training is provided within the framework of the Estonian-Dutch joint project launched at the beginning of last year, which continues the preparations that started already in 2003 for implementing EMAS in Estonia. The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is meant for evaluating and improving the environmental efficiency of organisations and informing the public and other interested persons of relevant steps taken. EMAS aims at promoting continuous improvement of environmental activities in public as well as private organisations. An organisation needs to have its own field of activity and independent management regardless of whether it is an independent legal person or not. The implementation of EMAS is voluntary. In the course of the Estonian-Dutch joint project, five free training sessions and seminars will be held from March to June: In Match: 1-day seminar introducing the ISO 14001 environmental management system and EMAS to companies, local governments, environmental authorities, the Environmental Inspectorate and others interested and professionally involved in eco-management systems. In April: 3-day training for companies on implementing the ISO 14001 environmental management system. In June: 2-day training for companies on how to prepare an EMAS environmental statement. Training sessions are held in English. Training materials are provided in English, Estonian and partially in Russian. Besides training, the joint project foresees that informative materials concerning EMAS will be published in 2005, a document defining the strategy and policy of eco-management systems will be prepared and three pilot enterprises that started to implement EMAS in 2004 will be registered according to EMAS: Iru Power Station of Eesti Energia AS, AS Tallinna Vesi and OÜ JOT Eesti. Implementing EMAS is beneficial as it increases the competitiveness of the organisation, helps to manage the delivery chain, provides better access to the international market, builds up the reputation of the organisation, cuts costs, saves environmental costs, promotes law abidance and improves general management. In addition to this, EMAS helps to improve the level of occupational health and safety and serves as a great motivator for employees. Furthermore, organisations registered according to EMAS can apply for a decrease in insurance premiums and they can use the EMAS logotype with their products and services. For more detailed information about the Estonian-Dutch joint project please visit the Ministry of the Environment’s EMAS homepage.
Monika Kopti |
