Electrocomponents : RS Components receives CEMARS Gold Certification Award for six years of reducing carbon emissions

CO emissions decreased by 23.8% through reduced energy usage

Oxford, UK, 28 October 2016 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has received the Carbon & Energy Management and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) Gold Certification Award for successfully achieving a reduction in its carbon emissions each year for the past six years. RS was recognised at a ceremony held at the New Zealand Embassy in London last night.

Since enrolling in the CEMARS programme in 2011, RS has retained its certification every year by achieving its target of making at least a 2.5% reduction in the principal sources of emissions relative to turnover. During this time RS UK has reduced its CO emissions by 23.8%. The distributor is the only company within its industry sector to receive the certification, which is independently verified.

RS has decreased its carbon emissions by reducing the energy usage associated with lighting, heating and air-conditioning at its sites across the UK. The company has implemented an energy-saving lighting programme, installed automated meter readers for gas and electricity, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy usage since 2012, and added variable speed drives to its air handling units. It has also installed electric car charge points at its Corby site to cater for the hybrid cars in its company car fleet.

RS is now focussed on the CO emissions associated with the movement of products between its sites and the distribution of goods to customers by its air, sea and road transport providers. The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of its entire distribution supply chain.

Ian Bell, VP Group Environmental, Health and Safety and Facilities at RS, said: 'This is a tremendous accolade that acknowledges our achievements in managing and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. CEMARS is a highly reputable standard that is recognised worldwide and we are now seen as a trendsetter in terms of our environmental programme and policies. We will continue to do our utmost to minimise the impact we have on the environment.'

CEMARS is one of the world's most rigorous carbon reduction programmes. It requires participants to measure and reduce their organisational carbon footprint in accordance with international best practice. The scheme is accredited under ISO 14065, the international standard for bodies offering certification of corporate carbon footprints, and by the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). It is also licensed by the UK Environment Agency under the Climate Change Act 2008.

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About RS Components
RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the global distributor for engineers. With operations in 32 countries, we offer more than 500,000 products through the internet, catalogues and at trade counters to over one million customers, shipping more than 44,000 parcels a day. Our products, sourced from 2,500 leading suppliers, include electronic components, electrical, automation and control, and test and measurement equipment, and engineering tools and consumables.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2016 had revenues of £1.29bn.

For more information, please visit the website at www.rs-online.com.

Editorial Contact
Lynn Webster-Scott
Head of Corporate PR
Electrocomponents plc
Phone: 07796 336499
Email: lynn.webster-scott@electrocomponents.com

Further information is available via these links:
Twitter: @RSComponents; @alliedelec; @designsparkRS
RS Components on Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

Electrocomponents plc
www.electrocomponents.com
RS Components
www.rs-online.com
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www.designspark.com