EU environmental policies and legislation protect natural habitats, keep air and water clean, ensure proper waste disposal, improve knowledge about toxic chemicals and help businesses move toward a sustainable economy.

The following is a list of EU Environment and Climate Change related legislation documents and weblinks that are currently available on Lean Business Ireland.

Management instruments – A programme for clean and competitive SMEs
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Small, clean and competitive - A programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises comply with environmental legislation

To help small and medium-sized enterprises apply EU environmental legislation as well as possible, the Commission proposes a programme aimed at improving legislation, environmental management tools, financial assistance, local expertise as well as communication and information.

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Management instruments – Better environmental performance: European eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS)
Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), repealing Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 and Commission Decisions 2001/681/EC and 2006/193/EC

It establishes the voluntary EMAS. This is the premium environmental management tool for users to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance.

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Management Instruments – Environmental Agreements
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Environmental Agreements at Community Level - Within the Framework of the Action Plan on the Simplification and Improvement of the Regulatory Environment

Improving the environmental performance of companies and implement sustainable production methods by encouraging voluntary commitments and agreements in accordance with the sixth Action Programme for the environment.

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Management instruments – Integration of environmental aspects into European standardisation
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee - Integration of Environmental Aspects into European Standardisation

It seeks to ensure that environmental aspects are integrated more systematically into European standards and that all those involved in compiling these standards take environmental protection into account.

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Management of marine resources – Conservation and management of sharks
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a European Community Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks {SEC(2009) 103} {SEC(2009) 104} {SEC(2009) 106}

The Action Plan contains legislative and strategic measures for the conservation and management of sharks. The measures may be implemented at Community level, Member State level or by Regional Fishery Management Organisations (RFMOs). Some measures may be applied immediately, while others may necessitate a longer-term commitment since they are based on scientific data and advice which is not always available.

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Management of Marine Resources – Conservation of certain stocks of Migratory Fish
Council Regulation (EC) No 1936/2001 of 27 September 2001 laying down control measures applicable to fishing for certain stocks of highly migratory fish

The European Community participates in regional fisheries organisations (RFO) establishing a framework for cooperation on the conservation and management of stocks of highly migratory fish. As a contracting party, it is required to apply the control and monitoring measures resulting from recommendations adopted by these RFO. It is therefore necessary to transpose and combine them in a single act and to incorporate the control measures for these stocks which are currently dispersed in a number of Community Regulations.

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Marine knowledge 2020
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL MARINE KNOWLEDGE 2020 marine data and observation for smart and sustainable growth

This Communication proposes an action plan intended to improve the use of scientific knowledge through a more coordinated approach to marine data collection and assembly.

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Marine pollution from ships and gas and oil installations
Regulation (EU) No 911/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on multiannual funding for the action of the European Maritime Safety Agency in the field of response to marine pollution caused by ships and oil and gas installations

It provides funding to enable EMSA to fulfil its tasks of responding to marine pollution. It explicitly states that EMSA's existence should not relieve countries from their responsibility of having the necessary mechanisms in place.

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