Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
The continuous environmental improvement of the SGL's activities is an important target and much effort is made for the development of an Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) according to the Regulation (EU) no. 1221/2009. Specific environmental programmes are applied for recycling of paper, plastics, glass, batteries and effluents, for energy saving and for controlling the use of chemical substances within acceptable limits. Furthermore, efforts are made for the implementation of a National Action Plan according to the "Green Public Procurement" plan.
For this purpose a Committee was appointed which defined and developed the following:
- Environmental policy in which the commitments of SGL relevant to the environment are described
- Initial evaluation of the environmental impacts of the various activities
- Environmental aims and targets for the improvement of the environmental performance of SGL
- Preliminary environmental programmes for the realisation of the environmental aims and targets
- Environmental indices for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the environmental programmes
Furthermore, a manual has been prepared with 26 procedures for environmental management.
In the effort to inform, stimulate and involve the personnel, something which is necessary for the implementation of EMAS, representatives from each laboratory have been appointed and lectures have been given to all personnel in subjects such as recycling, ways to reduce energy consumption etc.