The Icelandic Medicines Agency (IMA) is guided by sustainable development and environmental protection in all its work. In this way, IMA contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

IMA complies with environmental laws and rules in its operations. All staff are guided by this environmental policy in their work. The policy is based on the environmental policy of the Government Offices of Iceland.

The environmental and climate policy and its implementation are part of IMA's daily work. By reducing pressure on the environment and fostering interest in internal environmental work, IMA contributes to a better society. The policy covers all of IMA's activities, including food waste, cleaning, procurement, premises, the working environment, transport, use of resources and waste management. The Government of Iceland's policy on green public procurement and electronic administration is followed.

Objectives

• That IMA reduces greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 40% compared with 2019. IMA aims to achieve this objective by 2030.

• To be guided by sustainable development and environmental protection in all internal and external work.

• That improvements in operations and services take into account the reduction of environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions

• To keep the use of resources and chemicals to a minimum and reduce pollution as far as possible.

• To work continuously to reduce waste and promote its reuse and recycling.

• To promote sustainable transport in line with the Government's Climate Action Plan.

Procurement

• In procurement, environmental considerations shall be taken into account alongside cost and quality. If products or services are otherwise comparable, the option considered less harmful to the environment shall be chosen.

• Ecolabelled products shall be chosen in line with the Government's policy on green public procurement, and the framework agreements of the Financial Management Authority (Fjársýslan) shall be used.

• Minimise the use of single-use supplies, e.g. disposable tableware and unnecessary packaging.

Operations and maintenance

• All computer and office equipment shall carry appropriate environmental and energy-saving labels.

• Contractors shall be informed of the environmental and climate policy and required to comply with it.

• IMA's landlord is Reitir fasteignafélag. The company has adopted an environmental policy and a sustainability policy which apply, among other things, to the premises.

Use of energy resources

• Water and energy resources shall be used sparingly, e.g. by not letting water run unnecessarily and by switching off electrical equipment and lights at the end of the working day and when they do not need to be on.

Use of chemicals

• Use materials and chemical products sparingly, e.g. for washing up and cleaning.

• All cleaning products used shall carry a recognised ecolabel, e.g. the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the EU Ecolabel or Bra Miljöval.

Reuse and waste management

• Sort and dispose of waste in accordance with the service provider's sorting system.

• Paper use shall be continuously reduced, e.g. by printing on both sides of the paper and by not printing or photocopying unnecessarily.

• Work systematically towards making IMA's case management systems fully electronic, as well as submissions to the National Archives of Iceland.

• Work systematically towards making all licensing and all communication with service users electronic.

• All hazardous waste shall be disposed of appropriately, e.g. medicines, batteries, printer cartridges and light bulbs.

• All other waste shall be disposed of appropriately.

Transport

• Efforts shall be made to choose environmentally friendly modes of transport when travelling on IMA business, e.g. by requesting eco-friendly vehicles from taxi companies and car rental companies, sharing taxis, using e-scooters, and cycling or walking shorter distances.

• As far as possible, efforts shall be made to replace meetings requiring domestic and international travel with remote meetings.

• Offer staff a transport agreement and encourage environmentally friendly commuting to and from work.

• Work in accordance with IMA's remote work policy.

Environmental indicators and education

• IMA keeps an overview of the main "green" key figures in its operations and records and monitors performance. The aim is to promote better use of resources, reduce the waste of raw materials and increase reuse and recycling, e.g. in paper use, energy use, chemical use and the amount of waste.

• Hold regular environmental education for IMA staff. IMA's environmental and climate policy is reviewed every year by the executive committee. The policy has been presented to IMA staff, published on its intranet and website, and approved by executive management.

Approved by the executive committee on 31 January 2025