Registration of EMAS participants

Procedure

The registration procedure is as follows:

• The organization completes an application form and submits it together with the EMAS environmental verifier’s statement and the approved environmental statement.
• SCCM carries out an administrative review.
• SCCM coordinates with the Accreditation Council (RvA) to confirm whether the foreign EMAS environmental verifier reported in time and/or whether the RvA has any objections to the registration.
• SCCM sends a letter to the authorities responsible for monitoring compliance with environmental laws and regulations (such as the Environmental Service). This letter announces the intention to register the organization as an EMAS participant. The relevant authorities may object, for example if there are violations of environmental regulations.
• If no objection is received within 14 days, SCCM registers the organization as an EMAS participant.
• If a notified authority is considering filing an objection, the period for submitting an objection may be extended by 14 days.
• If there are no objections, the organization’s details are passed on to the European Commission and the organization is included in the official register.
• The organization receives a “Certificate of Registration” from SCCM in Dutch and English. This states the registration number, which grants the right to use the EMAS logo.

From the moment of registration, the EMAS-registered organization has a formal relationship with SCCM. This is further set out in SCCM’s EMAS registration terms and conditions. For example, SCCM has the right, in special circumstances, to suspend and withdraw the registration.
 

Validity period of EMAS registration

An organization is registered for a period of three years. Once every three years, a complete environmental statement must be submitted. In the two intervening years, an updated environmental statement is sufficient. In the updated environmental statement, only the differences compared with the most recently issued environmental statement need to be indicated.

Small organizations, if they meet certain conditions, can apply for an exemption regarding the frequency with which a complete environmental statement and an updated environmental statement must be verified. Instead of a three-year cycle for preparing and verifying a complete environmental statement, a four-year cycle is possible for these organizations. In that case, the updated environmental statement does not need to be verified annually but every two years. If a smaller organization wants to make use of this, an application can be submitted to the competent body. The application must also include a verifier’s statement confirming that the conditions are met. An important criterion is whether there are no significant environmental risks, no major changes expected, and no noteworthy local environmental issues.

Corporate registration

If the organization is part of a larger organization, it is possible to apply for a so-called “corporate registration” in the EU Member State where the head office is located. In that case, the competent body in the relevant Member State arranges the registration in cooperation with the competent bodies in the Member States where the branches are located.

Costs and conditions of registration

SCCM does not charge any fees for the EMAS registration of organizations established in the Netherlands. Fees are charged when SCCM has to carry out a corporate registration, which also requires coordination with competent bodies abroad.