Exchange on integration of risk management in EMAS

The context of crisis generated by COVID has boosted and driven the planning and execution of these actions. The fact that EMAS companies are prepared and able to respond to potential environmental or health risks, may lead to an impulse to register the scheme in other organisations. An environmental managementsystem also includes risk management components, but primarily considers environmental risks. The goal of Risk management is to respond to uncertainties and changes. How can environmental and health risks in companies be minimized with the help of EMAS? There are 3 points where to start: The analysis of the context, the environmental aspect analysis and the management of a risk-based audit programme. Most EMAS companies are already very far along in this respect. But we could all learn from each other and with each other to be better prepared for environmental and health risks in the future. For example : A risk-based approach related to audits enables the internal auditors to identify risks correctly and allows management to put the right internal controls in place for the best performance. This provides you with a better understanding of the risks and enables your organization to better manage them. During a workshop for EMAS organisations, organized by competent body, we all could learn how to integrate risk management component in Environmental management systems. Good practice could be collected and published by EMAS helpdesk.