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Sustainability - Cyprus

Updated 03/2011

Legal requirements

Pioneering businesses can develop environmental practices that go beyond legal requirements.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility is when businesses voluntarily incorporate social and environmental concerns within business activities over and above their legal obligations.

Standards

The Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a voluntary EU label designed to allow organisations to evaluate, manage and improve their environmental contribution. The Environment Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment is the competent authority for EMAS, responsible for recording and keeping organisations in the EMAS registry.

  • Eco Management and Audit Scheme ελληνικά

The Environmental Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for administering the European eco-label in Cyprus. Products covered by the label include everyday consumer goods (except for food, beverages and pharmaceuticals) and services.

  • European Ecological Label ελληνικά

The law requires businesses to comply with minimum social and environmental rules.

Administrative procedures

Environmental management standards

For a European eco label to be awarded in Cyprus, the manufacturer or importer must submit the appropriate application to the Environment Sector within the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment.

In order to record an organisation in the EMAS registry, the said organisation must submit a relevant application to the Environment Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, accompanied by the documentation set forth in the 1221/2009/EC Regulation.

Occupational safety management standards

In accordance with legislation on Health and Safety at Work issued by the Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, employers must use an appropriate risk management system. All organisations complying with the OHSAS 18001 standard are considered to fulfil this obligation.

Resources

The Energy Institute of Cyprus was founded to promote the management and rightful use of energy and also to develop renewable energy resources. The institute aims to increase the use of economically viable energy technologies.

  • Energy Institute of Cyprus ελληνικά

Programmes

The Special Fund Management Committee of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism offers grants to businesses for energy saving investments, e.g. substituting conventional fuels with renewable energy sources, use of biomass, etc.

  • Grant schemes for energy saving and encouraging the use of renewable energy sources - application forms ελληνικά
  • Grant schemes to encourage the use of wind and solar energy, as well as biomass and biogas ελληνικά

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

  • References

    Legal texts

    • Law concerning European Union regulation for the Eco Label Award System (Act 189(Ι)/2004) pdf [51 KB] ελληνικά
    • Voluntary Participation by Organizations in a Community Eco Management and Monitoring Scheme Act (Act 122(Ι)/2004) pdf [38 KB] ελληνικά
    • Law concerning Environmental Responsibility with regard to Prevention and Recovery of Environmental Damage (189(I)/2007) pdf [2 MB] ελληνικά

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Further help

Officers within the Environment Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment advise companies and organisations and provide them with valuable information.

  • Environment Sector ελληνικά