The Bank of Greece obtains ISO 14001:2015 certification

06/10/2022 - Press Releases

The Environmental Management System of the Bank of Greece has obtained ISO 14001:2015 certification, following an audit by a recognised certification agency registered with the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD) and with the International Certification Network (IQNet).

The Certificate of Conformity of Management System was accepted by Deputy Governor Mr. Theodore Pelagidis, who is responsible for environmental policy issues and is Chair of the Bank's Environmental Policy Committee.

The scope of certification covers all the activities of the Bank of Greece carried out at its facilities in Attica and elsewhere in Greece (Head Office, IT Centre, Athens and Thessaloniki Cash Processing and Distribution Centres, 13 Branches, 2 Outlets), including banking and IT operations, as well as cash processing and distribution activities. It should be recalled that the Banknote Printing Works Department (IETA) already obtained ISO 14001: 2015 certification for security printing and production of coins and medals in 2010.

ISO 14001 certification testifies to the effectiveness of the Environmental Management System applied by the Bank of Greece towards reducing its environmental footprint through coordinated actions and the adoption of best practices.

Environmental protection is a key pillar of the Bank's social responsibility and is embedded in its strategic planning. The active support of the Bank's Administration is evidenced by the adoption of an Environmental Policy, the allocation of necessary resources for environmental activities and the encouragement of an eco-friendly behaviour in the workplace.

By implementing an ISO 14001-conforming Environmental Management System, the Bank demonstrates its commitment to continuously improve its environmental performance, with a view to ensuring:

- compliance with national and EU environmental legislation and international environmental requirements;

- systematic and efficient resource management:

- rational use of materials;

- increasing the recycling rate;

- energy saving;

- water conservation and saving;

- waste reduction and environmentally sound disposal;

- staff awareness and engagement; and

- recognition and effective mitigation or elimination of environmental risks.

It should be noted that the Bank of Greece is one of the first central banks in the world to respond to the issue of climate change, having set up the Climate Change Impacts Study Committee (CCISC) in 2009 and, more recently, the Climate Change and Sustainability Centre in 2021.

Looking forward, the Bank of Greece intends to keep monitoring, assessing and improving its environmental performance, also through its participation in the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).