The Regional Fund has been certified since June 26, 2009, by an independent international organization according to ISO-14001:2015. ISO 14001 is the only internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
The North Aegean Regional Development Fund initiated a series of environmental actions in 2008, which include:
- Recycling of electronic equipment
- Battery recycling
- Paper collection for recycling
- Replacement of electric lamps with energy-efficient ones
Furthermore, at the end of 2008, in collaboration with the Department of Environment of the University of the Aegean, it started the procedures for its certification according to the international and European standards ISO 14001 and EMAS.
The environmental management system will help us change our mindset to a more rational, more responsible behavior towards the environment. With the changes in our procedures, the Regional Fund becomes the first public body (after the University of the Aegean) in the North Aegean and the first of the 13 Regional Funds in the country to introduce an environmental management system in Greece.
In addition to the existing actions mentioned initially, the following are added within the framework of the environmental management system:
- Procurement of certified ecological detergents to replace chemicals - During the pandemic, the instructions of the Ministry of Citizen Protection apply
- Procurement of certified non-chlorinated and recycled paper for printers and photocopiers
- Recycling of toner cartridges in printers and photocopiers
- Optimal energy consumption of the building
- Obtaining a fire safety certificate for the building
Finally, our broader goals include:
- Opening the market for ecological products in the North Aegean so that there can be new suppliers to operate
- Developing environmental awareness in wider public sector bodies as well as in each of our employees and partners
- Collaborating with the University of the Aegean to create an informal network of environmentally sensitive bodies in the wider public sector
