ABSTRACT
This chapter summarises key recommendations drawn from the small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) implementation of environmental management system (EMSs) which are designed to increase small-firm participation in Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and other EMSs. During a twelve-month period in 1994–1995, a pilot demonstration project was undertaken to investigate the experience of seventeen SMEs implementing the Regulation. The pilot study provided recommendations on the type of assistance necessary to aid SMEs' achievement and registration to EMS standards. Participating SMEs were divided into three working groups: sole enterprises, cross-sectorial enterprises located in Blackburn, United Kingdom and textile enterprises, with the aim of demonstrating the potential support options available to SMEs. Company environmental policies developed without reference to EMAS or a national EMS standard do not conform to schemes' requirements. Article 3.a of the Regulation states that environmental performance improvements should aim to reduce 'environmental impacts to levels not exceeding those exceeding the economically viable application of best available technology'.
