US interest in EMAS

The charity CARE has become the first US organisation to demand that contractors have an environmental management system (EMS) that complies with the EU eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS).

The Atlanta-based organisation’s tender for the supply of plastic sheeting for use as temporary shelter in emergencies, such as war and natural disasters, states that all candidates will be required to provide certification from an independent body attesting conformity to environmental management standards in accordance with EMAS or the international standard ISO 14001.

Martin Baxter, policy director at IEMA, says that CARE’s move is a further indication that 14001 and/or EMAS are increasingly becoming standard contract requirements.

EMAS was revised last year through EU Regulation 1221/2009, which came into force on 11 January 2010. At the end of March 2011, 7,934 sites and 4,659 organisations had EMAS certification.