Glossary

Acorn scheme - Scheme accredited by the IEMA as a phased approach to securing BS8555.

BS8555 - British standard for environmental management. Often pursued by small to medium sized organisations as an alternative to ISO14001.

Closed loop recycling - Process where a recycled product is used, recycled and repurchased in its recycled form.

EMAS - EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is a voluntary EU initiative which acknowledges organisations that improve their environmental performance on a continuous basis.

EMS - Environmental Management System.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) - Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Green procurement - One aspect of sustainable procurement involving an environmental impact assessment of products and services purchased.

IEMA - Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.

ISO14001 - International standard for environmental management.

Sustainable procurement - an approach to buying products and services that takes into account the economic, environmental and social impacts.

Virgin materials - materials which have not been previously used as opposed to recycled materials.

Whole life cost - Calculation of all the costs that will be incurred during the lifetime of the product or service including transportation, water and energy use, maintenance and disposal.