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

The Parliament approved the Commission's proposal for a voluntary Eco-audit scheme subject to a number of amendments. Parliament's opinion was drafted by Mr. José Valverde Lopez (EPP, Spain). While the Parliament approves the Commission's general approach, it would like to see that SMEs are guaranteed priority access to financial incentives awarded by national, regional or local authorities and the EU. It also called for schemes for monitoring the implementation of the legislation and the importance of promoting the EMAS activities to be expanded. The Parliament also called on the Commission to draw up a report on the initiative after three years, whereas the Commission had proposed five years.�