The benefits of environment management systems in Malta : EMAS and ISO 14001

Abstract

The study investigated the various benefits of environmental management systems - ISO 14001 and EMAS. An EMS will enable the organisation to identify and control the environmental impact of its activities, products or services. It will help companies become compliant and save considerable amounts of money by reducing costs incurred on energy consumption, materials, fines and penalties. Certification helps the organisation to improve its corporate image and its reputation as an employer. Consequently it contributes towards an Increase In employee's commitment and loyalty towards the organisation. The research objeclives were addressed using both a quantitative and a qualitative approach. A survey was conducted in order to analyse the subject being investigated -motivation for companies to adopt ISO 14001, benefits derived, cost incurred to adopt and maintain certification, challenges and changes that organisations had to endure to adopt, and subsequently maintain certification. Other surveys attempted to characterise how suppliers, customers and employees of certified companies were affected directly or indirectly with ISO 14001 and also investigate why local companies are reluctant to obtain certification. It was verified that local organisations have not yet realised the benefits that could be obtained through certification. It was also noted that local companies will only seek certification if they were obliged to do so by the parent organisation or if this proved to be in their best economical interest. However the most salient reason for the low participation is attributed to lack of information and awareness of the process and the vrarious benefits that could be derived through compliance to an EMS.