Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

Our official EMAS logo EMAS is the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, a voluntary European initiative designed to recognise and reward organisations that go beyond minimum legal compliance and continually improve their environmental performance. Newcastle City Council (NCC) has chosen EMAS as the best management tool to allow us to limit our environmental impact and improve upon our environmental performance. There is a corporate commitment to introduce EMAS across all directorates of NCC.

EMAS uses ISO 14001 (International Standards Organisation) as its management system but goes beyond this by requiring organisations to involve employees at all levels, demonstrate continued compliance to environmental legislation and provide regular information about their environmental performance to the public in the form of the annual EMAS Statement.

The EMAS Development Team

The Sustainability Unit in the Environment and Regeneration Directorate has an Audit Section, Steve James is our Section Manager supported by 4 auditors and Helen Povey who is our Administration Assistant.

Our first involvement with EMAS was through a European Life project, LA Euro-EMAS. In 2000 Highway Environmental Improvements (now Highways and Traffic Signals) took part in this project. It was decided after the project that Neighbourhood Services ISO 14001 system would be developed to EMAS. We are now beginning our seventh year of EMAS development.

The Sustainability Unit's Section has also worked in partnership with managers and staff at the Tyne Tunnel and Regulatory Services and Public Protection to achieve ISO 14001 and registration to EMAS. The Tyne Tunnel was the first tunnel management in Europe to achieve registration to EMAS.

Our role

To provide support, guidance, information and independant audit function to sections developing ISO 14001
Conduct environmental awareness sessions for managers and staff
Assist with the assessment process to achieve external certification to ISO 14001 and EMAS verification
Assist with the completion of the Register of Legislation
Conduct ISO 14001 audits, expanding to include staff awareness, legal compliance and external communication. This ensures the EMAS Regulations are met.
Work with managers and staff to develop their Environmental Public Statement
Act as guides for external assessments and surveillance visits

EMAS Benefits

Make more sustainable use of resources
Demonstrate responsible management of environmental risks
Improve relations with environmental regulators
Comply with regulations, environmental laws, voluntary or contractual agreements
Respond to growing expectations and pressures for environmental reporting
Communicate more effectively with stakeholders, partners, contractors and suppliers
Motivate staff and involve employees in delivering the environmental management system

Go to the Engineering Services EMAS page to read about their achievements.