EcoStart is a less formal environmental management system for small and medium size enterprises. EcoStart is one of the specialist product services provided by Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

1. EcoStart
Environmental Management System
Specialist Product Service
for SMEs
18.10.2012 Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for South Savo

2. Development services for SMEs
Specialist Product Services are provided by 15 ELY Centres
(Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment)
SPS is a nationwide brand, standardised format (product
concept)
Trained and certified service providers (consultants) used
Quality of the service is controlled (feedback from participants,
quality monitoring, evaluation reviews)
De minimis support (European Social Fund & national financing)
11 different Special Product Services available in 2012
16 million euros spent during 2007 – 2011 (5208 projects)
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3. EcoStart EMS
First EMS for SME’s which is subsidised and available
nationwide in Finland
EcoStart EMS consists of (1) initial review, (2) think tank
sessions, (3) environmental program and (4) a follow-up session
12 certified environmental consultanting companies approved to
implement the EcoStart EMS in Finland for 2012-2013
By the help of the EcoStart the SMEs
– improve their material and energy efficiency,
– identify the most significant environmental impacts of the company
– and in overall it is contribution for sustainable development
The ELY Centre for South Savo is responsible for the
development of the EcoStart
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4. EcoStart process
Collecting initial data Review report and
recommendations
Important environmental issues
Think tank sessions I-III -> elements of environmental policies
(Production, product, energy)
Think tank session IV Definition of environmental
(EMS, responsibilities) policy and management system
Environmental management
system
(Targets and goals)
Follow-up meeting Follow-up report
(after 6 months)
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5. EcoStart think tank sesssions
Session I Session II Session III Session IV
Manufacturing/ Energy Product Environmental
Service process Program
•Machines, raw •Heat and •Environmental •Preparation of
materials, EP
electricity impacts during
chemicals supply and use •Working
•Logistics saving •Packaging, instructions
•Waste, potentials transport
•Personal
emissions to •Eco-efficiency •Maintenance liabilities
air and water, of the premises and repairing
noise •Ventilation •Rejection, re- •Environmental
education of
•Losses and •Domestic hot use, the employees
defects in the water recyclability
process •Need for
•Compressed additional
air consulting
•Heat recovery •Extra work to
•Cooling ISO
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6. EcoStart, ISO14001 and EMAS Comparison
ISO14001:2004, EMAS EcoStart
Initial environmental rewiew Think tank sessions, collection of the initial data
Environmental Policy Similar
Planning
- Environmental aspects Similar
- Legal and Other Requirements Similar
- Objectives, targets and programs Similar Program (objectives, targets, actions)
Implementation and Operations
-Resources, roles, resposibility and authority Not as extensive
-Training, awareness and competence Not as extensive
- Communications Not as extensive
- EMS Documentation Not as extensive
- Control of Documents Not as extensive
- Operational Control Not defined (But a Working instruction –example included)
- Emergency Preparedness and response Not defined, but handled in workshops
Checking and corrective actions
- Monitoring and measurement Similar
- Evaluation of compliance Not as extensive, cross auditing
- Non comformances, corrective and preventive actions Not as extensive
- Control of Records Not defined
- Internal audit Not as extensive
Source: (In Finnish)
Management review Not as extensive Ympäristöjärjestelmillä kestävää
tuottavuutta.
Ympäristöministeriön raportteja 2/2010
EMAS also includes: Not defined ISBN 978-952-11-3718-1 (pdf)
-Environmental statement
-External verification 6

7. Financing
Every ELY Centre has it’s own budget and make the financing
decisions on EcoStart in their own area
Financing for EcoStart Special Product Service is coming from
the European Social Fund, some ELY Centres use national
public financing
During years 2012 - 2013 the cost of the EcoStart for the
participating company is 300 € per day
The consultation package is 3-8 days
Participating companies pay ~25 % of the total cost
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8. More information
Ecostart.fi (in Finnish and Swedish)
EcoStart SlideShare http://www.slideshare.net/EcoStart
ELY Centre for South Savo
ecostart@ely-keskus.fi
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