will help companies to ensure a more efficient management of chemicals and to substitute hazardous substances

Recap: International Conference "FUTURE with EMAS" in Warsaw

03.02.2026

The international conference 'FUTURE with EMAS' took place on November 6–7, 2025, in Warsaw. The event focused on sharing knowledge and discussing the upcoming role of environmental management and audit schemes in Europe.

Driving Integration and Innovation
The conference brought together a diverse group of environmental policy leaders, industry practitioners, verifiers, and sustainability experts. The primary goal was to showcase how the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) - which has served as a gold standard for 30 years - can be integrated with modern regulatory frameworks to add value to organizations without duplicating efforts.

Key themes discussed during the event included:

  • EMAS & ESG: Exploring the synergy between EMAS and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
  • Chemical Risk Management (CRM): Integrating chemical safety into environmental management systems.[2]
    Industrial Emissions Directive (IED): Using EMAS as a tool for regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
  • Digital Tools: The role of the "Internet of Things" (IoT) and modern data verification in environmental performance.

A Program of Collaboration

The first day featured plenary sessions and case studies from esteemed speakers representing the European Commission, EFRAG, and various European environmental agencies. The day concluded with a celebratory EMAS Gala, honoring the commitment of organizations that lead the way in environmental excellence.

Day two focused on specialized tracks, providing deep dives for EMAS Article 49 representatives and partners of the LIFE FitforREACH-2 project, ensuring that the insights gained lead to practical, regional applications.

Conclusion
The “Future with EMAS” conference affirmed the scheme’s continued relevance and evolution in response to Europe’s sustainability imperatives. By integrating chemical risk management, aligning with emerging reporting standards, fostering collaborative communities, and providing proportionate solutions for organizations of all sizes including VSMEs, EMAS positions organizations for success in an increasingly complex regulatory environment while advancing genuine environmental performance improvement.

Access Conference Materials
For those who were unable to attend or for participants wishing to revisit the expert insights, we are pleased to announce that conference materials are now available online.

You can find the following resources on the official website:

  • Executive Summary: A comprehensive overview of the key takeaways and conclusions.
  • Speaker Presentations: Downloadable slides from the thematic sessions.

To access these resources, please visit the MATERIALS and SUMMARY sections of the website.
 

The conference was organized by the General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDEP), Polish Forum for Environmental Management (PFEM), Łukasiewicz – Industrial Chemistry Institute, and POMInnO, with the support of the European Commission (LIFE Fit for REACH-2 project).