London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

4.200. The experience of SLR’s staff with EMS suggests that there is an element of truth in
both of these assertions. Nevertheless, our experience is largely positive as we have
witnessed many companies increasing their environmental performance over time. We
have also worked with companies of very different sizes, from the micro level to major
multinationals. Our feeling is that ISO 14001 can be successfully applied to a small or
micro company, although it must be acknowledged that this may result in a significant
drain on resources which can have more acute effects on a company of this size.
4.201. Our experience working with SMEs and EMS is that such companies are far more likely
to develop a user-friendly and appropriate system in an efficient way if they have
external support. The only exceptions have been when they already have
knowledgeable and experienced staff. We also know of well meaning support schemes
that have failed to provide useful assistance to SMEs, perhaps because of the materials
produced, the timing, or the personalities of the people involved.
4.202. However, the London Development Agency (LDA) has been working with Business Link,
the GLA, the Government Office for London (GoL) and other partners to improve
environmental management advice and support for SMEs in London. They have
undertaken research into current provision of environmental advice to SMEs and further
research to assess the business case for SMEs. The next steps will involve both a pan-
London co-ordination to improve the impact and organisation of environmental advice
provision, as well as a series of pilots to test the findings of their research, and to
endeavour to identify models for more effective delivery. It is proposed to commission a
delivery partner through competitive tender to provide a central co-ordination function,
which will be closely linked to the existing London Business Network. One of the
responsibilities of this function will be to support LDA/GLA in a feasibility study of an
awareness-raising campaign. The coordination function outlined above will work with
the LDA to invite proposals to deliver the pilots. This work covers all environmental
management, but waste management, recycling and green procurement will form an
important element.
Recommendation 25: It is recommended that the increased use of Environmental
Management Systems (EMS) should be promoted amongst London’s major
companies and organisations, for example through voluntary agreements with
appropriate trade groups. This should apply both to the commercial and the
industrial sectors and should be made into a statutory obligation for larger
companies.
4.203. It is considered unhelpful to make EMS a requirement for all organisations since there
are many SMEs for whom a formal EMS is entirely inappropriate. Concentration should
therefore be on promoting this to those organisations with the greatest potential
environmental impacts in London.
Recommendation 26: It should be recognised that the successful implementation of
EMS for smaller organisations is likely to require some form of support.
Collaboration with the LDA should continue into researching the promotion
and provision of environmental management advice and support. It is also
recommended that the Institute of Environmental Management and
Assessment (IEMA) should be consulted in this regard as they are actively
involved in promoting BS 8885. Consultations should also be undertaken with
Envirowise with regard to the applicability of their existing services and
whether they are able to provide additional support to promote EMS in
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