 |
|
| |
ISO 14001 Environment
A process for improvement
ISO 14000 is a group of standards, all of which relate to dealing
effectively with environmental responsibility:
-
Environmental Management Systems (14001, 14002, 14004)
-
Environmental Auditing (14010, 14011, 14012)
-
Evaluation of Environmental Performance (14031)
-
Environmental Labelling (14020, 14021, 14022, 14023, 14024, 14025)
-
Life-Cycle Assessment (14040, 14041,14042, 14043)
Note that ISO 14001, an Environmental Management System, is a management
standard, not a performance or product standard. Its underlying purpose
is that companies will improve their environmental performance, but the
document itself does not set any standards either for performance or the
level of improvement. This is because ISO 14001 is actually a process
for managing company activities that impact on the environment.
Although aiming at meeting environmental objectives, the process (Figure
1) is also intended to be an eventual source of success for the company.
A unique standard
ISO 14001 is at least unusual, and arguably unique, in that it is:
-
Comprehensive:
-
all members of the organization participate in environmental
protection
-
the environmental management system (EMS) considers all
stakeholders
-
there are processes to identify all environmental impacts
-
Proactive, focusing on forward thinking and action instead of
reacting to command and control policies.
-
Based on a systems approach, stressing improving environmental
protection by using a single EMS across all functions of the
organization.
This systems approach, where the process is observed and assessed
against agreed standards, and appropriate corrective action is taken, is
a recurring theme in electronics and quality. However, in most cases
feedback comes from the output, and is used to correct the process,
whereas in environmental management (Figure 2) both feedback and
corrective actions affect all three areas, input, process and output.
EMS elements
An ISO 14001 approved company must have:
-
an environmental policy supported by top management
-
environmental goals, objectives, and targets that support the policy
-
defined roles, responsibilities, and authorities
-
an environmental management programme
-
a process for communicating their EMS to all interested parties
-
a program for auditing and corrective action
In order to exercise control, the company needs documented control of
operations in accordance with the standard. As with ISO 9000, this has a
multi-section structure (Figure 3):
The company must also have reviewed all the environmental aspects, and
identified both any significant impacts and the relevant legal and other
requirements. Typically the audits follow the same broad outline as the
topics covered by the EMS procedures.
Other significant activities in implementing ISO 14001 relate to:
-
training and awareness
-
monitoring and measuring operations that can have a significant
impact on the environment
-
preparing a response for possible environmental emergencies
-
correcting non-conformance
-
audit and management review
The sequence of EMS implementation
Figure 4 shows the importance of:
-
a lead from the top
-
continuing review and audit
In fact, as is emphasized in the alternative diagram in Figure 5,
implementing an EMS is very much an iterative process.
Overview
ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that sets out how you
can go about putting in place an effective Environmental Management
System (EMS). The standard is designed to address the delicate balance
between maintaining profitability and reducing environmental impact;
with the commitment of your entire organization, it can enable you to
achieve both objectives.
What’s in ISO 14001:
-
General requirements
-
Environmental policy
-
Planning implementation and operation
-
Checking and corrective action
-
Management review
This means you can identify aspects of your business that impact on the
environment and understand those environmental laws that are relevant to
your situation. The next step is to produce objectives for improvement
and a management programme to achieve them, with regular reviews for
continual improvement. We can then periodically assess the system
and, if compliant, register your company or site to ISO 14001.
Who is it relevant to?
Environmental impact is becoming an increasingly important issue across
the globe, with pressure to minimize that impact coming from a number of
sources: local and national governments, regulators, trade associations,
customers, employees and shareholders. Social pressures are also
building up from the growing array of interested parties, such as
consumer, environmental and minority non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), academia and neighbours.
So ISO 14001 is relevant to every organization, including:
-
Single site to large multi-national companies
-
High risk companies to low risk service organizations
-
Manufacturing, process and the service industries; including local
governments
-
All industry sectors including public and private sectors
-
Original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers
Benefits
Certifying your company's environmental management system to ISO 14001
means that a third party, such as BSI, has assessed that it meets the
requirements set out in the standard.
Certification to ISO 14001
allows you to:
-
Demonstrate a commitment to achieving legal and regulatory
compliance to regulators and government
-
Demonstrate your environmental commitment to stakeholders
-
Demonstrate an innovative and forward thinking approach to customers
and prospective employees
-
Increase your access to new customers and business partners
-
Better manage your environmental risks, now and in the future
-
Potentially reduce public liability insurance costs
-
Enhance your reputation
For particular industries, pressure is now being exerted by many large
organizations, such as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who
expect their suppliers to adopt environmentally-friendly practices and
may mandate ISO 14001 certification as a licence to operate.
If
you want to take the implementation and certification of an EMS slowly,
the BS 8555 STEMS scheme allows you to phase the management system in
and assess how you’re performing at each step on the path. Once
completed, it still results in achieving ISO 14001 certification.
Training
We are experts in training as well as assessment and have a network of
public and in-house courses dedicated to teaching you the skills you
need before, during and after registration to the standard.
Steps to certification
Implementing a management system of any kind is a significant
undertaking for any organization. However, there are some common tools
you can use and a common process to follow during implementation and the
route towards certification.
We offer a comprehensive range of
services to help businesses understand and implement the internationally
recognized environmental standard ISO 14001. These build on the
requirements of ISO 14001 by breaking down the requirements into
manageable steps:
1. Choose the standard
Initially you should read ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management
Systems - Specification with guidance for use.
Talk to us - we
can provide you with information and support in finding the right
solution for your company.
2. Develop your environmental policy
Your environmental policy will state your commitment to compliance with
legal and regulatory demands, continual improvement and the prevention
of pollution. You should make this policy available to your customers
and the public.
3. Review and produce objectives
At this stage you should identify the elements of your business that
impact on the environment, establish access to relevant environmental
legislation and regulations and produce objectives and targets for
environmental improvement and a management programme to achieve them.
4. Training
Once you have assembled a team and agreed your strategy it’s crucial to
get understanding and involvement from the top down. Our training offers
a comprehensive programme of training courses for each key step, which
can be tailored to a company’s size and needs.
5. Implementation and assessment
As an accredited certification body our Client Managers can check in
with you at key stages to ensure your implementation is running smoothly
and to identify any gaps or areas for improvement. The initial
registration to ISO 14001 involves a two-stage assessment process,
including a document review and a site visit.
You should arrange the initial assessment with your registrar.
It's often a good idea to include a pre-assessment, designed to act as a
practice assessment. Following the two-stage initial assessment, the
assessor will determine whether you should be recommended for
registration.
6. Certification and beyond
Once the assessment has been successfully completed, we’ll issue a
certificate of registration, clearly explaining the scope of your
management system. The certificate is valid for three years, and your
assessor will visit you regularly to help you make sure you remain
compliant, and support you in the continual improvement of your
systems.
Other related services
Integrated management systems
ISO 14001 is designed
to be compatible with other management systems standards and
specifications which you might already have or plan to implement, such
as:
-
ISO 9001 Quality
-
OHSAS 1800 Occupational Health and Safety
-
ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security
|
4.2
Environmental policy
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Has the organization
defined and documented its environmental policy?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Is the environmental
policy based on:
Significant
environmental aspects?
Corporate policy?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Is the policy
appropriate to the organization's activities and their potential
environmental impacts?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Does the policy
include commitments to:
Continual
improvement
Prevention of
pollution
Comply with
environmental legislation and other requirements to which the
company subscribes
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Does the policy
provide a framework for setting environmental objectives and
targets?
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Is the policy
documented, implemented, maintained and communicated to all
persons working for or on behalf of the organisation?
|
|
|
|
|
7.
Is the policy
available to the public?
|
|
|
|
|
4.3.1
Environmental aspects
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Has a procedure been
established, implemented and maintained to identify the
environmental aspects of its current and relevant past
activities?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Have aspects related
to potential significant environmental aspects been considered
in establishing and implementing the EMS?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Have aspects having
legal and/or regulatory reporting, monitoring or operational
requirements been identified as “significant” aspects?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Are the following
environmental aspects considered in sufficient detail?
Air emission
Wastewater effluent
Waste management
Soil pollution
Raw material and
natural resource usage
Hazardous and toxic
material
Impact on well being
(e.g. noise, smell, heat, landscape, protection)
Utility, energy and
resource
Other environmental
specific issues on site such as housekeeping, storage, areas,
piping
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Are the following
operational aspects considered?
Normal operating
conditions
Abnormal operating
conditions (e.g. start up and shut down conditions, maintenance,
incidents)
Development of new
or modified processes, products or services
Actual and potential
emergency conditions and accidents
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Have significant
aspects been identified?
|
|
|
|
|
7.
Are the
significance evaluation criteria reasonable and adequate?
|
|
|
|
|
8.
Are all significant
environmental aspects controlled by objectives, targets, and
programmes, procedures or monitoring?
|
|
|
|
|
9.
Have indirect
aspects such as the following considered?
Supplier evaluation
Subcontractors on
site
Transportation
Products and service
related impacts
|
|
|
|
|
10.
Have environmental
aspects identified and evaluated for planned or new
developments, or new or modified activities, products and
services ?
|
|
|
|
|
4.3.2
Legal and other requirements
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Has a procedure been
developed and implemented to identify applicable regulatory,
legal and other requirements?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are current copies
of all applicable regulatory and other requirements accessible
to personnel as necessary?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Have all further
agreements the organization needs to fulfill been integrated in
the procedure?
Business related
agreements
Agreements with
public authorities
Guideline other than
legal requirements (e.g. company policy, industry codes and
practices, etc.)
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Are the following
licenses, permits and approvals available to demonstrate full
legal compliance?
Licenses of waste
collectors
Air emission permits
Wastewater discharge
permits
Permits and licenses
related to dangerous goods
Environmental
fees, e.g. wastewater discharge fee
Registration at
authorities (e.g. wastewater discharge, air emission inspection)
|
|
|
|
|
4.3.3
Objectives, targets and programmes
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have environmental
objectives and targets been established at each relevant
function and level in the organization?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are objectives and
targets documented?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are objectives and
targets specific, measurable, concrete and understandable?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Do the objectives
and targets take into consideration of the followings?
The compliance with
the relevant legislation and other requirements
The significant
environmental aspects
The criteria for
selection of adequate technology, financial operation and
business requirements
The views of
interested parties
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Are the objectives
and targets consistent with the following?
Environmental policy
The commitment for
prevention of pollution
The commitment for
continual improvement of the environmental performance (where
applicable)
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Has an environmental
performance evaluation system been established to periodically
review the achievement of the objectives and targets?
|
|
|
|
|
7.
Are evaluation
criteria or meeting records available to determine what
significant environmental aspects become objectives and targets?
|
|
|
|
|
8.
Have programmes for
the achievement of environmental objectives and targets been
established and implemented?
|
|
|
|
|
9.
Have
responsibilities been assigned for
programmes at each appropriate function and level?
|
|
|
|
|
10.
|
|
|
|
|
11.
Do the programmes
include the following elements?
Designation of
responsibility for achieving objectives and targets at each
relevant function and level of the organization
The means and
time-frame by which the programmes
are to be achieved
Are the programmes,
where appropriate, revised and amended to apply to new
development, new or modified activities, products or services
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.1 Resources,
roles, responsibility and authority
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Is an organization
chart available?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Have
responsibilities and authorities for environmental management
been defined and documented?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Has a Management
Representative been assigned?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Have the roles,
responsibilities, and authorities for the Management
Representative been defined?
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Are the required
resources (e.g. personnel, technology, finance) for
implementation and control of the environmental management
system provided by management?
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Does the personnel
appointed in environmental management have the required
competence?
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.2
Competence, training, and awareness
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have training needs
been identified?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are all personnel,
whose work can cause significant environmental impacts,
competent on the basis of education, training and or experience?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Have procedures been
established to assure all persons working for or on behalf of
the company are aware of
the Environmental Policy, actual and potential impacts and their
responsibilities?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Has the organization
ensured that personnel performing environmental specific tasks
have the required knowledge (e.g. education, training
experience)?
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Does the
communication process ensure that business partners, suppliers
and contractors are aware of the relevant requirements of the
organization‘s EMS?
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Do the contractors
working on site have the requisite knowledge and skills or have
been trained to perform the work in an environmental responsible
manner?
|
|
|
|
|
7.
Are training
records, certificates and licenses available to demonstrate the
competence?
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.3
Communication
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Are procedures
maintained for communication of environmental issues between
various levels of the organization?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are procedures
maintained for receiving, documenting and responding to
communications from external interested parties?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Has the organization
recorded its policy and/or processes for external communications
on its significant environmental aspects?
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.4
Documentation
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have the core
elements of the EMS and their interaction been described in
paper or electronic form?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Does documentation
of core EMS elements provide direction to related documentation?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are the following
EMS documents documented :
- policy, objectives
& targets, scope of the EMS
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.5
Control of documents
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Are procedures
maintained to ensure periodic review and appropriate revision of
all required documents?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are current versions
of all required documents available at all essential locations?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are obsolete
documents promptly removed or otherwise assured against
unintended use?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Is all documentation
legible, readily retrievable and identifiable, and revision
level or date identified?
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Have procedures been
established for the creation modification and appropriate
approval of the various types of documents?
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.6
Operational control
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Are activities
associated with significant environmental aspects planned and
carried out under specified conditions?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Have documented
procedures been established, implemented and maintained for
operations associated with significant environmental aspects,
policy, objectives and targets?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Have, during
development of the documented procedure, the following elements
considered?
Activities where
their absence could cause deviation from environmental policy,
objectives and targets
Stipulating
operating criteria and limits for control of the important
activity characteristics
Control processes of
significant environmental aspects of products and services
Release of new or
modified processes and products
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Are, during the
development of the documented procedures, other indirect impacts
considered?
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Have procedures been
established relating to the significant environmental aspects of
materials and services purchased and used by the organization?
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Have procedures been
established to communicate relevant procedures and/or
requirements, regarding environmental aspects of purchased
products or services, to suppliers and subcontractors?
|
|
|
|
|
4.4.7
Emergency preparedness and response
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have procedures been
implemented to identify the potential for and respond to
accidents and emergencies?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Have procedures been
established to prevent and mitigate impacts of accidents and
emergencies?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are emergency
procedures tested where practicable?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Are emergency plans
available? Are procedures defined to ensure that environmental
impacts of accidents and emergency situations are mitigated?
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Are the
responsibility defined to review and revise, where necessary,
the emergency preparedness and response procedures?
|
|
|
|
|
4.5.1
Monitoring and measurement
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have procedures been
documented and implemented to monitor key characteristics of
operations that can have significant impacts?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Has any
environmental performance indicator that relates to objectives
and targets been established?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are records
available to track performance and conformity with objectives
and targets?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Are all monitoring
equipment appropriately maintained and calibrated?
|
|
|
|
|
4.5.2
Evaluation of compliance
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Are documented
procedures established, implemented and maintained to
periodically evaluate compliance with relevant environmental
legislation and other requirements?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Has monitoring and
measuring data been recorded to evaluate the compliance with
relevant environmental legislation and other requirements?
|
|
|
|
|
4.5.3
Nonconformity, corrective action and preventive
action
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have procedures been
established to define the responsibility for handling,
investigating and controlling, and mitigating nonconformity?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are corrective and
preventive actions timely, appropriate and effective?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are procedures
changed and/or updated as a result of corrective
action and
preventive action?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Does the procedure
include the fact that complaints from interested parties are to
be integrated in the process?
|
|
|
|
|
4.5.4
Control of Records
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have procedures been
implemented to identify maintenance and disposal of
environmental records?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are environmental
records legible, readily retrievable, protected against damage?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Have retention times
been specified?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Do the records
include the followings:
Training records
Audit results
Management
review records
Information on
applicable environmental laws and other requirements
Inspection,
maintenance and calibration records
Information
on emergency preparedness and response
Information
on significant environmental aspects and associated impacts
Permits
Monitoring
data
Details of
nonconformity, incidents, complaints and follow-up actions
Contractors
and suppliers records
Process and
product information
|
|
|
|
|
4.5.5
Internal audit
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Have internal audit
procedures been developed and implemented?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Are audit
frequencies and topics based on the environmental importance of
the activity concerned and the results of prior audits?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Do audit procedures
cover how results are reported and how results are provided to
management?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Do audit procedures
adequately define scope, frequency, methods and
responsibilities?
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Has the audit system
been fully and effectively implemented?
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Do audit reports and
records indicate a reliable system which can be used as a tool
in the third party audit process?
|
|
|
|
|
7.
Are the auditors
conducting the audits competent and in a position to conduct the
audits objectively and impartially?
|
|
|
|
|
4.6
Management review
|
|
Requirements
|
Conformity
|
|
Y
|
N
|
N/A
|
|
1.
Do periodic
management reviews take place to ensure the continuing
suitability and effectiveness of the EMS?
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Does management
review result in changes as appropriate to the policy,
objectives, targets etc.?
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Are management
reviews records retained ?
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Are the reviews
carried based on the following documents or information?
Audit results
reports
Evaluations of
compliance with legal requirements and other requirements to
which the company subscribes
Achievement of
environmental management system objectives and targets
Communications and
complaints from relevant interested parties
The environmental
performance of the organization
Status of corrective
and preventive actions
Follow-up actions
from previous management reviews
Changing
circumstances, including developments in legal and other
requirements related to its environmental aspects, and
Recommendations for
improvement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
