1. ETA Environmental Consulting Dr. Stefan Gara ETA Environmental Consulting and the role of the verifier and the role of the verifier 1 st Environmental Verifier in Austria since 1995

2. Dr. Stefan Gara EMAS in Austria Austrian Environmental Management Act deregulation benefits for organisations registered sites quarter deletion Source: Austrian Federal Environment Agency Ltd. future trend?

3. Dr. Stefan Gara EMAS marketing campaign www.emas.gv.at

4. Dr. Stefan Gara Key to credibility? credibility to whom? … accreditation body … local authorities … NGOs … consumers … insurance … financial analysts … Verifiers play a crucial role in the credibility of the EMAS regulation Dr. Stefan Gara

5. What is the role of a verifier? authority? consultant? EMAS promoter? … ? Function is defined in Annex V 5.4 … but there are different requests from target groups

6. Dr. Stefan Gara All aspects should be addressed equally … social / organizational technical legal legal increasing focus on legal compliance! … in reality priorities are very different!

7. Dr. Stefan Gara Indicators for best EMAS practice … after all products & services play an important role leadership involvement / executive training (HR) long term commitment & performance open dialogue eco procurement eco design (products / services) eco criteria in financial asset management

8. Dr. Stefan Gara Conflict of interest? most verifiers are accredited for both EMAS & ISO 14.001 most verifiers are accredited for both EMAS & ISO 14.001 few verifiers promote EMAS and rather prefer ISO 14.001! few verifiers promote EMAS and rather prefer ISO 14.001! professional background & interest determine the focus towards environmental issues professional background & interest determine the focus towards environmental issues Dr. Stefan Gara

9. … are we walking in the same direction? Dr. Stefan Gara

10. Outlook increased focus on legal compliance increased focus on legal compliance sustainability reporting (CSR) sustainability reporting (CSR) constant battle over ISO 14.001 constant battle over ISO 14.001 increasing number of standards increasing number of standards tighter resources tighter resources EMAS EMAS verifiers are facing new challenges Dr. Stefan Gara

11. A chance for transparency and democracy! Dr. Stefan Gara