European project Go4EMAS – Services for SMEs in the field of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
Reducing the environmental impact is a challenge to SMEs all over Europe. The pressure on SMEs for products and processes with a lower environmental impact will increase from the market place as well as environmental legislation in the coming years. In 2007, the EC launched the Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme (ECAP) to support SMEs with regards to their compliance with a wide set of environmental legislation. ECAP also actively promotes the uptake of EMAS as a cost-effective way to improve SMEs environmental performance whilst simultaneously increasing their profitability. Despite this, as of 2007 only 6% of SMEs had any type of Environmental Management System (EMS) in place.
Go4EMAS' main objective is to ensure that pro-active services in the field of
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) are delivered to European SMEs. Three key sectors with a high environmental benefit potential have been selected in the partner regions:
- metal working
- surface treatment
- manufacturing of electric
- electronic components.
A tailored methodology to support EMAS implementation on a step-by-step basis will be developed and implemented. The project sustainability will be assured by the direct participation of local stakeholders and the
creation of so called EMAS clubs with the participation of SMEs and environmental service providers. The clubs will be created by making use of the Enterprise Europe Network.
Project duration: 11/2011 -10/2013
Countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and United Kingdom
Contact:
Teresa Puerta, Tel. 0711 123 4013
Email: puerta@steinbeis-europa.de
Maria Kourti, Tel. 0711 123 4037
Email: kourti@steinbeis-europa.de