By doing so they will be anticipating the requirements of the environmental statement and will be well placed to respond to possible queries notably from verifiers and competent bodies but also additionally from other interested parties.

In these organisations, in particular, it is important that the responsibilities for significant environmental aspects are clearly defined and that the verifier has evidence that the organisation has a proper procedure to control such aspects.

encouraging wider uptake of the Community's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)(5) and developing initiatives to encourage companies to publish rigorous and independently verified environmental or sustainable development performance reports;

The samples must be selected so as to ensure that the verifier has a representative and comprehensive insight into the environmental performance of the organisation and that he is able to check the reliability of data and the local accountability.

At the outset participants in EMAS ought to bear in mind that environmental verifiers, and where appropriate, the competent bodies, can exert an influence in agreeing the entity to be registered (see Article 2(s) and (t) of Regulation (EC) No 761/2001).

The verifier, in such a case would have to assess that the environmental management system is capable to deliver he specific objectives and targets of each single organisation according to the general programme, objectives and targets of the whole area.

If an entire publication's content is covered by the environmental statement and validated by the verifier, the logo may be used in any way considered adequate (for example, on the cover page, the head of an advert, as graphic background of the text, etc.).

The organisation should also carry out audits at least on an annual basis, as this will help to demonstrate to the organisation's management and the verifier that it is in control of its significant environmental aspects. (2) See page 3 of this Official Journal.

This guidance has been prepared on the basis of Article 2(s), second and fourth sentences and of Article 2(t) of Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 to assist organisations, environmental verifiers and competent bodies in deciding on the appropriate entity for registration as organisation to EMAS.

A verifier, in assessing conformity against the requirements of the EMAS Regulation, may base that assessment either, against the functions, activities, products and services of the organisation; or against the environmental aspects over which the organisation has direct and/or indirect control and influence.

Member States should ensure that inspection and monitoring infrastructure enable the proper implementation of this Directive to be verified, having regard, inter alia, to Recommendation 2001/331/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 4 April 2001 providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the Member States(10).

"accreditation system" shall mean a system for the accreditation and supervision of environmental verifiers operated by an impartial institution or organisation designated or created by the Member State (accreditation body), with sufficient resources and competency and having appropriate procedures for performing the functions defined by this Regulation for such a system;