Регламент (ЕО) № 1221/2009

EMAS III — Eco-Management and Audit Scheme

EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a voluntary European scheme for organisations committed to improving their environmental management. NJN Ltd is an accredited verifier authorised to carry out EMAS verification and to validate the environmental statements of organisations in Bulgaria.

EMAS III ISO 14001 Регламент ЕС

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Comparison

EMAS III versus ISO 14001

EMAS incorporates all the requirements of ISO 14001 and builds on them with additional obligations for transparency and public reporting of environmental performance.

Requirement

ISO 14001

EMAS III

Environmental management system

✓

Initial environmental review

—

✓

Public environmental statement

—

✓

Independent verification

—

✓

Registration in a national register

—

✓MoEW

Employee engagement

Recommended

✓Mandatory

Key performance indicators

—

✓Mandatory

Recognition and the EMAS logo

—

✓EU logo

Requirements

Key requirements of EMAS

EMAS sets four core additional requirements on top of ISO 14001, aimed at greater transparency and trust.

Initial environmental review

Before EMAS registration, the organisation must carry out a thorough initial environmental review (Initial Environmental Review). The review covers all significant aspects of the activity with an impact on the environment — energy and water consumption, waste generation, atmospheric emissions, noise, and impact on biodiversity. The results of the review form the baseline for measuring environmental improvements thereafter.

Environmental statement

The organisation prepares a public environmental statement containing a description of the activity, the significant environmental aspects, the objectives set and specific data on the key performance indicators (KPIs): energy efficiency (MWh/year), water consumption (m³), waste generated (t), CO₂ emissions (t CO₂eq), biodiversity (m²) and raw material consumption (t). The statement is updated annually.

Independent verification

The environmental statement and the environmental management system must be verified by an accredited EMAS verifier. NJN Ltd carries out the verification on site, checking the accuracy and reliability of the data in the statement, compliance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 and the fulfilment of all mandatory requirements. Only after validation by the verifier may the organisation register under EMAS.

Registration with the MoEW

After successful verification, the organisation submits an application for EMAS registration to the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) — the national competent authority for EMAS in Bulgaria. The MoEW checks additional compliance with environmental legislation and, upon approval, enters the organisation in the national and European EMAS register. Registered organisations obtain the right to use the EMAS logo.

Benefits

Advantages of EMAS registration

EMAS registration brings tangible benefits — regulatory relief, financial incentives and stronger trust in the market.

Regulatory relief

Many EU Member States provide for a reduced frequency of inspections by environmental authorities for EMAS-registered organisations. In Bulgaria the MoEW recognises EMAS registration as evidence of high environmental performance when issuing permits.

Public procurement

The European public procurement directives explicitly recognise EMAS registration as evidence of compliance with environmental requirements in green public procurement (GPP). This opens access to EU-funded projects that demand a high environmental standard.

European funding

EMAS registration is an eligibility criterion or provides a competitive advantage when applying under EU programmes for the green transition — LIFE, InvestEU, the COSME programme for SMEs and the structural funds for environmental investment.

Customer trust

The public environmental statement, verified by an independent accredited body, is the most credible evidence of an organisation's environmental achievements. It builds trust among customers, investors, banks and media that are sensitive to ESG criteria.

ESG reporting

The EMAS requirements for key performance indicators fully align with the ESG reporting frameworks (GRI, CDP, TCFD). Organisations registered under EMAS have verified data ready for inclusion in ESG reports and non-financial statements under the CSRD.

Internal efficiency

The systematic approach of EMAS — initial review, objectives, measurement of results and public reporting — drives genuine improvements in resource efficiency. Organisations achieve measurable reductions in energy, water and waste costs, which directly improves operational profitability.

Process

Steps to EMAS registration

The path to EMAS registration runs through five logically ordered steps, in which NJN Ltd supports the organisation as a verifier.

ISO 14001

Implementation of an environmental management system to ISO 14001 as the foundation

Initial review

Conducting a thorough initial environmental review of all aspects of the activity

Environmental statement

Preparation of a public environmental statement with the key performance indicators

Verification

Independent verification by NJN Ltd and validation of the environmental statement

Registration with the MoEW

Submission of an application and entry in the national EMAS register by the MoEW

EMAS III — Eco-Management and Audit Scheme

EMAS III versus ISO 14001

Key requirements of EMAS

Advantages of EMAS registration

Steps to EMAS registration

Do you want EMAS registration?

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