Do phased Environmental Management Systems actually benefit SMEs?

摘要

Many larger businesses have seen benefits from implementing Environmental Management Systems. These larger businesses have put pressure onto their smaller suppliers to consider similar systems, which for a Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) can prove inappropriate. However, the arrival of new phased approaches hopes to bridge the gap between a full EMS and nothing at all, to provide business benefits to SMEs. But do these systems actually provide any benefits? This study uses case studies and follows the implementation of phased approach EMSs (BS 8555, Green Dragon, and Easy Access for Environmental Management). The case studies show what benefits are seen by adopting environmental management, even to a low level, and highlights the benefits of phased approaches to SMEs.