ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

General Overview of the Standard ISO14001

Environmental performance is accorded secondary status in most companies. This is generally because Quality & Safety are considered to have more of an immediate and impact particularly in relation to legal compliance and keeping the customer happy. As a result Environmental issues are normally only addressed as and when they arise, usually too late. What most companies don't take into account is the fact that environmental impacts tend to be long term and cumulative and generally have an impact outside the boundaries of the site and on the community. The effect is therefore less apparent and easier to overlook or ignore. Companies are generally aware they have a responsibility for the environment and believe they are operating in an environmentally sensitive manner. In reality only a small number of companies are even aware of the environmental legislation to which they are subject. As a result, only a handful are able to truthfully claim they are in compliance or are sensitive to the environment. A common reaction amongst companies who implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) addressing the requirements of ISO 14001 is:

  • A shocked acceptance of their limited understanding of the legislation applying to them.

  • How inadequate their environmental performance has been and the costs associated with this inadequacy.

  • The realisation of the potential risks and liabilities they face in an environment of increasingly stringent legislation and litigation.

  • The potential for cost savings. Generally companies look only at the cost of implementing a management system. They overlook the potential savings from reduced levels of waste, resource usage and more efficient means of pollution control. Not forgetting the longer term reduction in potential liability costs.

Here are some of the possible benefits of an ISO14001 Environmental Management System

  • Improved operational efficiency.

  • Reduce costs by minimising waste and energy consumption.

  • Motivation and retention of staff.

  • Minimise risk and potential liability from litigation.

  • The company becomes more attractive to ethical investors in a climate of eco-friendly portfolios.

  • EMS compliant companies project an enhanced green image

  • It provides marketing and branding opportunities

  • Give confidence to customers and local communities of a company's caring and professional approach to its business.

 
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The Standard

A formal environmental management system (EMS) which meets the requirements of ISO14001 will help you establish your environmental impacts for every aspect of your business. It is a system of control which will ensure that:

  • You are aware of the environmental issues and aspects that are relevant to your site (including interested parties).

  • You are aware of the legislation which applies to your company and are in compliance;

  • You have set objectives & targets for improvement based upon significance (risk) related to the aspects;

  • You have a management programme in place to document the action plan to achieve the improvement targets;

  • If there is a potential for an emergency, a plan is in place which will ensure that the potential for it to occur and the impact of an occurrence is minimised;

  • You have developed a training programme, the extent of which will vary depending upon the responsibility of the individual and the significance of the activity;

  • You have a methodology for both internal and external communication;

  • Internal Audit and Management Review of the effectiveness of the system;

  • You monitor and measure your significant environmental impacts and to those subject to legislation and activities established for improvement;

  • You establish a system of identifying activities which do not comply with requirements and a method analysis (root cause) leading to corrective action which will address the immediate problem and prevent reoccurrence;

  • The EMS system is documented in written procedures.

  • Appropriate records are kept.