Study on environmental management systems in SMEs - prior information

Brussels, 13 August 2002

The European Commission's Enterprise DG has published a prior information notice of a call for tenders for a study contract concerning factors, policies and initiatives conducive to the implementation of environmental management systems in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The study will be carried out in the framework of an ongoing DG Enterprise 'Best' procedure (i.e. benchmarking) project on Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) in SMEs. The project examines and compares national and regional/local factors, policies and initiatives conducive to establishing and maintaining EMSs in SMEs, both of a formal (ISO 14001 and EMAS) and of a less formal nature.

On the basis of substantial preparatory work carried out by the Commission and governmental experts, the contractor will be asked to assist in the identification of good/best practices, to analyse conditions for success and to publish relevant results in the form of a report. The work will be conducted in close cooperation with national experts and the Commission.

Good/best practices relate to aspects such as organizational arrangements, strategic embedment (e.g. in the form of voluntary agreements), financial and technical assistance, horizontal and vertical networks, adapted and less formal approaches to EMSs, as well as intangible and material benefits offered to companies with an EMS. The estimated cost of the work amounts to 70,000 euro.

To see the prior information notice, please consult http://ted.eur-op.eu.int/dynamic/doccur /en/en/mfoo/11/124388-2002.htm?CDBNR=&Q FILE=&SID=DZEU

Remarks: Estimated date for the publication of the full tender is September, 2002.

Before contacting the Commission, tenderers are strongly advised to consult the original call text, when available, in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001