Introduction

The implementation of an EMS in an organisation requires human resource and financial investment. The main costs are associated with any capital investment required for new equipment facilities, for staff training, for the consultancy costs and for audits related to ISO 14001 or EMAS implementations.

In consequence, small and medium-sized organisations are reluctant to bear the cost related to the implementation of an EMS. In order to overcome this issue, there are a number of governmental and non-governmental programmes, offering subsides which reduce the economic burden of EMS implementation.

In the following chapter, you will find information about these programmes.