Options for a nationwide implementation of environmental management systems. Final report

Within the framework of European and German environmental, climate and energy policy, the efficient use of resources and the reduction of environmental pollution play a decisive role. In this context, companies and other organisations are also in the focus: they can make a significant contribution and reduce their material and energy consumption as well as avoid harmful emissions into the air, water and soil through sustainable management. In this report of the project "Options for a nationwide implementation of environmental management systems", a concept proposal for legally binding environmental management requirements is presented. In the concept proposal, enterprises are assigned to certain environmental management requirements that increase with the increasing environmental relevance of the enterprise. Three categories are proposed for this purpose, for which contents, delimitation features and enforcement options are developed. This concept proposal is based on an inventory of existing systems and legal regulations related to environmental management. It was tested and evaluated in pilot companies and assessed in a legal opinion and an economic impact assessment for the economy, administration and society.