EMAS certifies .eu registry

Brussels, 22 May 2012 – .eu’s operations are the most environmentally responsible of any top-level domain (TLD) in Europe since the .eu registry, EURid, is the first European TLD registry to achieve the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) registration. 

“We are proud to be awarded the EMAS seal of approval. This acknowledges .eu’s ongoing commitment to a greener Internet and shows that cyberspace can be managed in a sustainable manner,” said EURid’s General Manager, Marc Van Wesemael. “Our environmental policy is in place and we will use it to further improve .eu’s environmental footprint.”

The greening of cyberspace

EURid has taken an environmentally responsible approach to operating .eu for many years. The registry’s environmental policy is based on the principle of “reduce, reuse and recycle” and provides a framework for making sustainable choices, especially regarding suppliers. The EMAS registration formalises the .eu registry’s ongoing activities which include:

• Partnering with energy efficient data centres: EURid’s data centre in the Netherlands has been hosted by one of Europe’s greenest providers, TelecityGroup, since Spring 2010. In addition to data security, EURid chose to work with TelecityGroup because they offer reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions, renewable energy sources and innovative technologies that improve power and cooling efficiencies.

• Reducing paper use: EURid has issued registrar invoices electronically since 1 May 2012. Using less paper and envelopes not only benefits the environment, it is also more cost efficient. Similarly, marketing literature is printed on sustainably produced paper using biodegradable inks.

• Minimising environmental impact of events: When organising conferences and events for .eu registrars or participating in industry trade fairs and meetings, EURid applies criteria from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meeting guide to ensure that these events, and associated travel, are as environmentally sound as possible. 

EURid is sharing its environmental commitment with Members of the European Parliament through an information stand at the European Parliament in Strasbourg from 22-23 May and a breakfast meeting with the Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, on 23 May 2012.

More information on what EURid is doing to ensure sustainable operations is available at: http://link.eurid.eu/green.

About EMAS

The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme is a voluntary management tool for companies and other organisations to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance. This scheme helps companies optimise their production processes, reduce environmental impacts and use resources more efficiently.

About .eu and EURid

The .eu domain ranks among the ten largest top-level domains in the world, connecting 500 million people in 27 EU countries to one Internet identity. More than three million .eu names have been registered since the domain opened for registration in 2005. Many companies use a .eu website as a practical solution to convey a clear European identity, including Bridgestone, Century 21, Hyundai, the MAN Group, Microsoft Corporation and the UniCredit Group.

EURid is the not-for-profit organisation appointed by the European Commission to operate the .eu top-level domain. EURid works with over 850 accredited registrars and provides support in the 23 official EU languages. With headquarters in Brussels (Belgium), EURid also has regional offices in Pisa (Italy), Prague (the Czech Republic) and Stockholm (Sweden). More information at http://www.eurid.eu.  

For media information, please contact: 

Catherine Dowdell, PR Officer   Phone: +46 (0)8 5063 74 12   

Email: press@eurid.eu  

Press room: http://www.eurid.eu/en/press-room