Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to promote the uptake of the environmental management systems IS014001 and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). [66626]
§ Mr. MealeThe Government fully support and promote the use of environmental management systems and promote the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) alongside the international standard for environmental management systems (ISO 14001) as complementary means for business to continuously improve performance.
My Department has produced and made available free of charge a full range of introductory leaflets, guides, case study material and videos to encourage business and local authorities to participate in EMAS. These are now all available from the Institute of Environmental Assessment, who I appointed last year to succeed my Department in administering the scheme. EMAS and ISO 14001 are both promoted by my Department and by the IEA at exhibitions and conferences. We are also funding separate promotional efforts by the IEA which is planning to establish a dedicated EMAS website.
465WMy Department is currently working with the Transport and General Workers Union on an EMAS Handbook to help all employees to understand and implement environmental management systems. Last November we set up a new environment and energy helpline to provide guidance for small and medium firms on how good environmental performance can help their businesses.
EMAS and ISO 14001 were also featured in the Government's recent consultation paper on "Sustainable Business", part of the wider consultation on sustainable development. My Department has been fully involved in the current revision of the EMAS Regulation and in pressing for changes, including the incorporation of key elements of ISO 14001, to further enhance its attractiveness to business. Seeking views from business and other interested parties about the proposed changes has provided a further opportunity to raise awareness of EMAS and indirectly of ISO 14001.