EWS Membership Outline Version May 2013 I. Preamble The European Water Stewardship (EWS) is the integrative system for business and agriculture to assess, verify and communicate sustainable water management practices. It is the result of a wide stakeholder consultation process. The program is coordinated by the European Water Partnership a.i.s.b.l. (EWP), and embodies the collective effort and know-how of water users in agriculture and industry. The EWS includes a standard and an evaluation system that makes business sense for adherents; mitigating physical, regulatory and reputational risks and offering tried-and-tested steps to secure water availability for the future. This document outlines all relevant information regarding EWS membership. II. EWS Membership II.I Membership Benefits As a EWS member you will benefit from: Visibility as pro-active player in the realm of Water Stewardship. High visibility in annual award ceremonies. First-hand information via the EWS members newsletter. Access to knowledge and information of the EWS network, embracing the expertise and experience of business, private and public sectors, and EU institutions. Opportunities to shape the profile of the European Water Stewardship program that is: Recognized by EU institutions. Endorsed by the European Water Partnership. Legitimate Regional initiative of the Global Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). Influencing the development and implementation of the EWS standard and its alignment with the global water stewardship standard. Invitation and cost fee-reduction to EWS events and workshops. II.II Membership Type EWS offers opportunities both for individual EWS membership and for EWS membership of associations, NGOs or institutions. EWS membership refers to: Category A. Individual private sector entities, including companies, production sites, agricultural business (farms), certification bodies and consultancy organizations, water service providers, and airports, etc: - EWS certified or not EWS-certified. Category B. Organisations, associations, institutions, including public or policy institutions or other NGOs, research institutions, and private sector associations (farmers associations or cooperatives, industry associations, etc.). Members of the European Water Partnership (EWP) can become EWS members and vice versa. EWP and EWS memberships are complementary in terms of benefits, roles and financial contributions. 1
EWS Membership Outline III. Member Rights and Obligations Members are expected to demonstrate commitment and contribute to the objectives of EWS as highlighted below. III.I Membership Responsibilities Endorse the European Water Vision. Pay annual EWS membership fee. Support the EWS goals and promote EWS activities. III.II ToR for EWS Members Opportunities Participation in EWS activities. Shaping the roll out of EWS. Share expertise and knowledge in all EWS committees. Contract EWS Membership Application Form. Representation In EWS Members Council. If applicable, as delegate in the EWS Steering Committee. Opportunity to participate in technical committees and sub-committees. Meeting Participation Annual Members Council Meeting. If applicable in committee or sub-committee meetings. Effective Date Upon payment of membership fee. Term & Ending Demission by no later than one full financial year prior to the desired resignation date. EWS may end the membership in a one month notice if EWS member organization does not the respect the qualification criteria listed below. IV. Admission Applications are accepted on a rolling basis by completion of the following EWS Membership Application Form (Annex I). Applicants qualify for EWS membership declare to comply the following criteria: The general aims of applicant are consistent with EWS goals (http://www.ewp.eu/activities/ews/project-communicationswm/objectives-and-deliverables/). The applicant organization is registered with referring authorities within a member state represented in the Council of Europe and the registration is proven to be up-to-date. The EWS Membership Application Form is done on behalf of the corporate entity. IV.I Application Procedure 2
EWS Membership Outline 1) Interested applicants should submit 2 duly signed copies of the Membership Application Form (Annex I) to EWS at: European Water Partnership a.i.s.b.l. Avenue de Tervuren 216 B-1150 Brussels, Belgium ews@ewp.eu Fax: +32 2 735 06 82 2) EWS approves the application and informs the applicant within 14 working days of their acceptance in written format accompanied by the first years invoice. 3) The payment of the full membership fee makes the membership definite. 4) In the unlikely case of rejection, the applicant has the right to have the reason for rejection justified; however, the approval remains the sole discretion of the EWS Steering Committee. V. Resignation Any member who wishes to resign as a member of EWS shall inform EWS of their intention to resign by a written notification, no later than one full financial year prior to the desired resignation date. Membership obligations and associated fees shall be maintained during this time. VI. Suspension & Expulsion Any member who does not follow the terms laid out here can be suspended or expelled by a majority decision by the Steering Committee. The member retains full rights for justification and defense of this suspension or expulsion. VII. Payment Procedures Membership fees are due on yearly basis. Invoices have to be paid within 30 days. Membership fees are as follows: 3
EWS Membership Outline Membership Category A Individual members The EWS membership fee for Category A members is linked to the total turnover of the entity as follows: Turn over ( ) EWS MS Fee ( ) > 10 billion 20.000 >5 billion 15.000 >1 billion 10.000 >500 million 5.000 < 500 million* 2.000 EWP members: EWP membership fees are deducted from EWS membership fees. EWS Recognized Certification Bodies and EWS Recommended Consultancy: The costs of annual license fees are deducted from the EWS membership. Note: Membership contributions to the Global Water Stewardship association (AWS) might be added once the AWS governance structure has been finalized. Membership Category B Organizations, associations and institutions The EWS membership fee for Category B members is contingent on the sector to which the organization is related. Sector EWS MS Fee ( ) Industry 10.000 Others* On individual basis Note: Membership contributions to the Global Water Stewardship association (AWS) might be added once the AWS governance structure has been finalized. *Other organizations: Upon written request, the EWS membership fee will be set on individual basis. *SMEs: Upon written request, the EWS membership fee can be set on individual basis. 4
ANNEX I: Membership Application Form Please complete the following clearly in capital letters. Company name Contact Person Position Address Postal Code City State/Province Country VAT Number Phone Mobile Fax E-mail I apply for the following membership category: Category A EWS Member: Turnover >10 billion Category A EWS Member: Turnover >5 billion Category A EWS Member: Turnover >1 billion Category A EWS Member: Turnover >500 million Category A EWS Member: Turnover <500 million Category B EWS Member-Industry I request my membership fee be set on an individual basis. I hereby apply to become a EWS member and declare to with the conditions laid out in this EWS Membership Outline. Applicant signature..date: For official EWS use only Date of Receipt: Reference No. of Application Date of Membership granted: Membership No.:
ANNEX I: Membership Application Form Please complete the following clearly in capital letters. Company name Contact Person Position Address Postal Code City State/Province Country VAT Phone Mobile Fax E-mail I apply for the following membership category: Category A EWS Member: Turnover >10 billion Category A EWS Member: Turnover >5 billion Category A EWS Member: Turnover >1 billion Category A EWS Member: Turnover >500 million Category A EWS Member: Turnover <500 million Category B EWS Member-Industry I request my membership fee be set on an individual basis. I hereby apply to become a EWS member and agree to comply with the conditions laid out in this EWS Membership Outline. Applicant signature..date: For official EWS use only Date of Receipt: Reference No. of Application Date of Membership granted: Membership No.: