How must a sustainability module based on EMAS be designed in order to turn the environmental management system into a complete sustainability management system? How can this cover current and future regulatory requirements for companies, such as the Supply Chain Sourcing Obligations Act and the CSR reporting obligation?

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Arqum, in cooperation with KATE Umwelt & Entwicklung and OmniCert Umweltgutachter GmbH, is developing a proposal for a sustainability management module that ties in with EMAS. An overview of the project process can be found here. The work builds on the existing EMASplus system, which extends the environmental management system to include social and economic aspects. This is now to be further developed and transformed into an official system registered as a certification mark in the next two years.

As a basis for this project, we have, among other things, conducted an online survey on the requirements of a sustainability management system, in which companies could share their assessment with us – regardless of their previous knowledge in the area of environmental, sustainability, energy management or other activities.

In the first half of 2022, we will also conduct a pilot project in which companies can introduce the sustainability module together with us. If your company is EMAS validated and you are interested in participating, please contact us!

Contact person at Arqum: Theresa Steyrer