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Sustainability - Ireland

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Legal requirements

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government develops policy, regulates environmental quality and maintains information on the legal and procedural obligations relating to environmental control.

The Department of the Environment is also responsible for the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS). The latest NSDS from 2002, "Making Ireland's Development Sustainable" is currently being revised.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) also plays a role in promoting sustainable development, which it views as a process of finding more environmentally and socially responsible and sustainable ways of doing business. The DETE published a Sustainable Development Strategy in 2002.

The review of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy in the period 2003-2005 provides information on activities in the following fields:

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility has been defined as:

"A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis." (European Commission)

           Business in the Community Ireland   and Chambers Ireland provide advice to businesses on corporate responsibility and corporate community involvement.

Standards

Quality management standards

           ISO 9001:2008   is the world's foremost quality management standard. It sets out the essential requirements for a practical and effective quality management system (QMS). The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides certification and training in ISO 9001:2008.

Environmental management standards

The Irish Energy Management Standard sets out specifications for managing energy use in industry. It aims to help companies save energy, cut costs and improve energy and business performance by integrating energy management into their business structures.

The European Union's (EU) Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) helps you:

  • Assess whether or not your company complies with all national and EU environmental laws;
  • Identify ways to improve your environmental performance.

Signing up to EMAS also offers certification to all businesses complying with its rules.

The ISO 14001            Environmental Management Standard helps organisations to identify, manage and control those activities that have an environmental impact. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides certification and training in ISO 14001. This standard helps your company to reduce waste and pollution and comply with legislative requirements, among other benefits.

Occupational safety management standards

The Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series of Standards (OHSAS) sets out the necessary requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland awards certification in OHSAS 18001:2007, which is the latest standard of this type. This standard sets out a preventative and proactive approach to identifying workplace hazards and assessing and controlling risk.

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

Administrative procedures

Certification of standards

Quality management standards

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides certification and training in Quality Management (ISO 9001:2008).

You can apply directly to the NSAI to obtain certification using an on-line Request for Quotation form. The certification process consists of five stages and once obtained the certificate expires within three years.

Environmental management standards

The Irish Energy Management Standard (I.S. 393:2005) sets out specifications for managing energy use in industry. The Standard can be used in conjunction with the Energy MAP (Energy Management Action Plan) from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It is an online tool which provides a step by step guide to creating a best practice action plan for your business. 

I.S. 393 also shares common management system principles with the Environmental Management System Standard ISO - 14001.

The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is the designated competent body for the EU's Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in Ireland. In order to become an EMAS registered site you must first have your company's Environmental Statement verified by an Accredited EMAS verifier.  You should then submit the verified Environmental statement, application form and all necessary information together with registration payment, to INAB.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides certification and training in the Environmental Management Standard - ISO 14001.

Occupational safety management standards

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides certification and training in OHSAS 18001:2007.         

You can make an application direct to the NSAI using an on-line Request for Quotation form.

Resources

Enterprise Ireland aims to raise environmental awareness among Ireland's business community. Its information portal covers:

  • environment management system;
  • eco-efficiency assessment;
  • ecodesign;
  • waste management & recycling;
  • climate change & energy;
  • REACH;
  • environment.
  • Environmental portal

Business access to state information and services (BASIS) delivers government information and services to businesses online.

Comhar Sustainable Development Council (Comhar SDC) is the forum for national consultation and dialogue on all issues relating to sustainable development. It is made up of participants from the State sector, economic sectors, environmental NGOs, social/community NGOs and the professional/academic sector.

Programmes

Enterprise Ireland runs a Supply Chain Management Programme which aims to help companies improve efficiency in the flow of products and information from production through to delivery to the customer. Grant assistance is available towards consultancy and training costs and in-company project management.

Sustainable Energy Ireland's Energy Agreements Programme provides businesses with tailor-made support for certification.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

Living and moving in Europe

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Still need help?

Enterprise Europe Network - Contact points

The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local contact points. 

Choose your nearest contact point for personalized help and advice:

Further help

Sustainable Energy Ireland supports businesses by giving them advice and training to boost their competitive edge and increase their profits.

Business in the Community Ireland is a non-profit organisation specialising in advice and guidance to leading companies on corporate responsibility and corporate community involvement.

Chambers Ireland is Ireland's largest business network representing more than 13,000 businesses on the island of Ireland. Chambers Ireland's Corporate Social Responsibility Council is focused on developing and promoting best practice in CSR and initiatives to promote awareness of the potential of CSR among SMEs.