How many organisations in Malta are certified under voluntary environment schemes?

Voluntary environmental schemes are an effective tool through which companies voluntarily improve their environmental performance and apply for certification based on agreed environmental standards.

By the end of 2009 the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority had certified three organisations to ISO 14001: Elepac Ltd, ADI Associates Consultants Ltd and PlayMobil Malta Ltd, while several other Maltese companies, including General Soft Drinks, Methode, Trelleborg and ST Microelectronics, have been certified by foreign certification bodies. ST Microelectronics is also the only EMAS-registered site in Malta. The Hilton Malta remains the only European eco-labelled tourist accommodation in Malta.

In 2009, 18 hotels (17 in Malta and one in Gozo) were eco-certified through the Malta Tourism Authority eco-certification scheme. To obtain eco-certification, a hotel must meet the 38 compulsory criteria and at least a further 27 criteria from a list of 62.

The scheme includes criteria on environmental management, staff training, waste management, procurement, energy, water, air quality, noise, buildings and green areas, local culture and information dissemination.

The eco-certification criteria are currently being reviewed to be in-line with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.

For more information see The Environment Report Indicators 2009 at www.mepa.org.mt/teri2009.