EMA Earns EMAS Certification

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Feb. 17, 2025 that it has been certified with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) for its commitment to environmental sustainability. EMAS is an environmental management and auditing standard in the European Union that organizations use to evaluate, report, and enhance environmental performance. It also provides a framework for improving these efforts.

“The EMAS certification is an important acknowledgment of our efforts to strive for continuous improvement and reduce our environmental footprint. As an EU body, EMA takes its responsibility seriously to protect the environment for current and future generations,” said Emer Cooke, EMA’s executive director, in a press release (1).

EMA’s office building is certified BREEAM Excellent and Energy Label A++, and the agency practices eco-conscious procurement.

“This is for example reflected in the requirement of EU Ecolabel for consumables, and use of sustainable materials. The implementation of digital workflows throughout the agency reduces the need for printing. When selecting replacement of electronic equipment such as laptops and other small electrical devices, products and appliances, the energy rating is included in the evaluation,” the agency stated in the press release. EMA also promotes environmental awareness to its employees.

Sustainability is a hot topic for the pharmaceutical industry, with many pharma companies, biotechs, and contract manufacturers working toward sustainability goals. Contractors are having to match the sustainability requirements of sponsor companies and adjust to the myriad global regulations.

“When we’re negotiating and contracting with our partners, they’re wanting to work with companies who do have ESG [environmental, social, and governance] sustainability policies in place,” said Andy Burns, vice president, MDI (Metered Dosed Inhaler) Business Development at Kindeva, in an interview with Pharmaceutical Technology® (2).

“We used to see only Big Pharma or large generic drug companies having specific sustainability requirements. But now a lot of small to mid-sized biotech companies are talking to us and evaluating us on our sustainability-related practices,” said Saharsh Davuluri, vice-chairman and managing director, Neuland Laboratories, in an interview with Pharmaceutical Technology® (3). “One of our largest generic customers has required us to apply for the SBTi [Science Based Targets initiative] validation, which is something that we are seeing other companies follow as well. On the innovator side, we’re seeing some of the large innovators enquire about our EcoVadis rating, beyond the standard frameworks of assessments that are available."

“European regulations are particularly stringent on emissions and product lifecycle sustainability, and they have guided a lot of our initiatives such as a co-design, or carbon offset partnerships,” said Charles Ruban, president and CEO, Verdot, in an interview with Pharmaceutical Technology® (4). “We're partnering with suppliers committed to systemic sustainability, so our carbon-neutral initiative reflects the commitment of overcoming those models while enabling appliances to globally reduce their environmental footprint,” said Ruban.

References

1. EMA. EMA Earns Certification for its Environmental Efforts. Press Release. Feb. 17, 2025.
2. Haigney, S. Sustainability in Inhalation and Small-Molecule Drugs. PharmTech.com Jan. 30, 2025.
3. Haigney, S. Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Outsourcing. PharmTech.com. Jan. 29, 2025.
4. Haigney, S. Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. PharmTech.com. Jan. 17, 2025.