Environment: Eco-management and audit scheme EMAS, voluntary participation by organisations (amend. regul. 1836/93/EEC)

The committee adopted the recommendation for second reading (codecision procedure) by Cristina GARCIA-ORCOYEN TORMO (EPP/ED, E) amending the Council's common position on a Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The committee on the whole reaffirmed Parliament's position at first reading. It said that Best Available Technology (BAT) should be used in institutions and organisations adopting EMAS. Other amendments sought to tighten up the regulation, for example by stipulating that legal compliance with environmental legislation should not merely be "provided for", as the Council wished, but "ensured". One amendment called for the physical assets of the EU institutions to participate in EMAS within the next four years. The amendments on BAT obtained only a narrow majority, casting doubt on whether they would be adopted by the full Parliament during the relevant part-session in Strasbourg. �