Commission Decision (EU) 2019/63
of 19 December 2018
on the sectoral reference document on best environmental management practices, sector environmental performance indicators and benchmarks of excellence for the electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing sector under Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS)
(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), repealing Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 and Commission Decisions 2001/681/EC and 2006/193/EC, and in particular Article 46(1) thereof,
OJ L 342, 22.12.2009, p. 1.
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 obliges the Commission to develop sectoral reference documents for specific economic sectors. The documents must include best environmental management practices, environmental performance indicators and, where appropriate, benchmarks of excellence and rating systems identifying environmental performance levels. Organisations registered or preparing to become registered under the eco-management and audit scheme established by Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 are required to take those documents into account when developing their environmental management system and when assessing their environmental performance in their environmental statement, or updated environmental statement, prepared in accordance with Annex IV to that Regulation.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 required the Commission to establish a working plan setting out an indicative list of sectors to be considered priority sectors for the adoption of sectoral and cross-sectoral reference documents. ‘Communication from the Commission — Establishment of the working plan setting out an indicative list of sectors for the adoption of sectoral and cross-sectoral reference documents, under Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 on the voluntary participation of organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) identified the electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing sector as a priority sector.
OJ C 358, 8.12.2011, p. 2.
(3) The sectoral reference document for the electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing sector should focus on best practices, indicators and benchmarks for manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment. It should identify, by way of best environmental management practices for the sector, concrete actions to improve the overall environmental management of companies in the sector in three main areas: manufacturing processes, supply chain management and actions fostering a more circular economy.
(4) In order to allow organisations, environmental verifiers and others sufficient time to prepare for introduction of the sectoral reference document for the electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing sector, the date of application of this Decision should be deferred by a period of 120 days from the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
(5) In developing the sectoral reference document annexed to this Decision, the Commission has consulted with Member States and other stakeholders in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 49 of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: