News

Dulas gains worldwide environmental accreditation

A mid-Wales renewable energy firm has joined organisations from all over the world in a new scheme that recognises a dedication to excellence in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Dulas has been awarded EIA accreditation by the UK’s largest environmental professional association, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). It is the first company other than the founding members to be awarded the EIA quality mark since the scheme’s launch in April.

Machynlleth-based Dulas has earned its accreditation by carrying out regular environmental impact assessments and joins 40 founding member organisations. The scheme helps companies to locate and work with externally verified EIA organisations from a central register and subsequently deliver a successful EIA project as part of delivering the green economy.

Claire Kirk, IEMA’s professional standards manager, welcomed Dulas to the programme: “In joining the scheme, Dulas, like all of the other EIA Quality Mark registrants, has made an important commitment to ensuring its EIA activities continue to maintain their existing high quality.

“It is especially significant that Dulas has volunteered to have its commitment independently verified by IEMA, an important step in improving EIA practice.”

The EIA Quality Mark is a stamp of approval awarded to successful registrants. It assesses quality across the registered organisations’ EIA activities, including management processes and approaches. It allows organisations to monitor their EIA work and demonstrate their commitment to effective practice.

Phil Horton, head of wind development services said of the news: “Receiving IEMA accredited status is a great differentiator for Dulas. We’re proud to be in esteemed company achieving this significant quality assurance mark, proving that our processes meet the best practice benchmark.

“Having been in the renewable energy industry for over 30 years, Dulas understands how important it that organisations commit to a green economy.”

With the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive having been in place for 25 years and any updates some years away, IEMA identified the need for a new measure of EIA performance while the UK replaces major infrastructure in pursuit of the low carbon economy. As a result, IEMA has developed the EIA Quality Mark scheme to ensure future EIA practice in the UK continues to uphold high standards of quality.