EMASplus
EMASplus has become We Impact
We Impact is a continued development of the well-established EMASplus-system. The comprehensive sustainability management system EMASplus is based on the European EMAS system (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) and broadens environmental management to include the social and economic perspective in order to create a fully integrated and holistic management system. It covers the relevant areas of DIN ISO 26000 and embeds business ethics as well as corporate responsibility into the organisational strategy and business operations.
Further information involving the transition to EMASplus-organisations can be found in the FAQ.
Note: Please note that some EMASplus-certified organizations are currently in transition to We Impact. It is therefore possible that the registers may temporarily not reflect the current status. We apologize for this and thank you for your understanding.
EMASplus Company at a glance
CaderaDesign GmbH
Certificate: DE-C2023-01
Sector: Services
Head office: DE - Würzburg
Protestant Academy Tutzing
Certificate: DE-E2014-01
Sector: Education and conference center
Head office: DE - Bad Tutzing
Evangelische Bank eG
Sector: Finance - Banks
Head office: DE - Kassel
Evangelical Mission in Solidarity e.V.
Certificate: DE-E2024-01
Sector: Non-profit organization
Head office: DE - Stuttgart
KATE Environment & Development e.V.
Industry: Management consultancy
Head office: DE - Stuttgart
Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Sector: Education and teaching
Head office: DE - Eichstätt
Climate foundation for citizens
Certificate: DE-K2023-01
Sector: Exhibition business
Head office: DE-Sinsheim
Syntacoll GmbH
Industry: Pharmacy
Headquarters: DE - Saal a. d. Donau
Stuttgarter Wohnungs- und Städtebaugesellschaft mbH
Certificate: DE-S2024-01
Sector: Real estate
Head office: DE - Stuttgart
St. Francis Foundation
Certificate: DE-S2024-02
Sector: Social institutions
Head office: DE - Schramberg
TourCert gGmbH
Industry: Non-profit organization
Head office: DE - Stuttgart
Darmstadt Science and Congress Center GmbH & Co. KG
Industry: Education and conference center
Head office: DE - Darmstadt
Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences
Certificate: DE-H2021-0
Sector: Education and teaching
Head office: DE - Freising
WUQM Consulting GmbH
Industry: Management consultancy
Headquarters: DE - Würzburg
Zeeh Design GmbH
Industry: Trade fair construction
Headquarters: DE - Puchheim
EMASplus, the predecessor to We Impact
EMASplus is a sustainability management system based on the EMAS Regulation and ISO 26000, developed by KATE Umwelt & Entwicklung e.V. in collaboration with church partners as part of an EU-funded project. Participation in EMAS is always a prerequisite. Since 2025, EMASplus has been replaced by We Impact. We Impact Level 2 corresponds to the level at which EMASplus is situated.
How the assessment is conducted
The requirements for the guideline, its implementation, and the accreditation of assessors are established by a volunteer, independent advisory board comprising user organizations, consultants, assessors, scientists, associations, professional chambers, and public agencies. KATE implements these requirements as the legal entity and serves as the registration authority and trademark owner.
Assessments are conducted exclusively by state-certified environmental assessors with EMASplus additional qualification. Valid DAU accreditation is a mandatory requirement. The organizations commission their own verifiers and receive the declaration of validity from them. The registration authority then reviews the application, issues the certificate, and enters the organization into the registry. It does not make its own determination regarding technical compliance.
Current Status
Initial and recertifications under EMASplus have not been possible since January 1, 2025. Surveillance audits were permitted until December 31, 2025, but are no longer allowed as of January 1, 2026. Certified organizations were informed of this in advance.
Existing certificates remain valid until their respective expiration dates; the last ones expire at the end of 2027. Until then, the guidelines governing the EMAS logo also apply to the use of this mark. As the trademark owner, KATE continues to monitor its use and prohibits any misuse.
Documents
– 2020 Guideline, Sustainability Management According to EMASplus: EMASplus Guideline 2020
– Accreditation Standard for EMASplus Verifiers, as of June 2020 EMASplus Accreditation Standard
What’s Next
Those who wish to continue with their EMASplus system can transition to We Impact Level 2. EMAS registration remains unaffected; the established management system serves as the foundation, and most of the German environmental verifiers accredited for We Impact have previously verified EMASplus.
Want to know more?
In our toolbox you will find further checklists, our impact check and links to freely available online sources