Reinforcing Added Value for EMAS (RAVE)

In 2017, the European Commission released a report assessing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and EU Added Value of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The report, called Fitness Check, identified EMAS as a very relevant tool in the European environmental policy framework but pointed out the need to improve its implementation, to enable it to reach its full potential.

The RAVE (Reinforcing Added Value for EMAS) study follows-up on these conclusions, with a specific focus on policy instruments used as incentives to encourage organisations to adopt an environmental management system certified according to EMAS.  The study also investigates options to strengthen the added value of EMAS for authorities and organisations and boost the scheme. RAVE examines in particular three aspects of EMAS: its capacity to deliver regulatory relief to organisations (provide administrative and financial advantages), its capacity to facilitate reporting to authorities, and finally, to trigger business opportunities.

Through research, surveys, and interviews, the project team gathered the needs of various stakeholders and elaborated recommendations to make the best use of EMAS. Policy makers looking for ideas to promote sustainable management and facilitate validated environmental reporting in the digital age may find the report particularly useful.