Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
Level 5
Models for Environmental Management Systems
Unit 2
Planning an EMS


Before project goals are set the company has to know what the projects is. In terms of EMS, the company needs to decide what sort of EMS it wants to implement and operate. There are basically three models for environmental management that companies currently use. These are illustrated below using some fictitious companies.

 

Model No. 1 - Establish a basic in-house EMS

In the 1970s and 80s when environmental issues started to be considered by business, many large companies developed their own EMS. These systems were mainly concerned with controlling environmental risks and liabilities, and compliance with environmental legislation. Today, many companies still operate this type of informal system.

Basic EMS are generally managed by one person, usually a senior manager. This person is given responsibility for ensuring that the company puts procedures and controls into place to comply with relevant legislation and reduce any environmental risks.

Advantages:

  • Lower implementation and operational costs than a formal EMS

  • Avoidance of fines through legislative compliance

Disadvantages

  • Opportunities for cost savings in raw materials consumption, waste and energy consumption can be missed.

  • Significant environmental impacts, other than legislative non-compliance's, are not identified and therefore not targetted for improvement or control.

  • Personnel do not understand the importance of environmental management because of a lack of training, and therefore there is a greater risk of an environmental incident occurring.

 

Model No. 2 - Establish a formal EMS such as ISO 14001/EMAS

In the 1980s, some larger companies started to undertake environmental reviews of their sites. This involved identifying the environmental impacts of a companys operations, activities, services and products in order to assess its overall environmental performance. Although the reviews were comprehensive, they were a snapshot in time, and did not provide evidence that the environmental performance of the company was improving.

With the introduction of the EMS standards ISO 14001 and EMAS, companies developed management systems with a policy, objectives and targets, procedures, audit programme, and management review process. Some companies who had already achieved certification to the quality management standard ISO 9001/2, thought that certification to another standard would be cumbersome to maintain and did not merit the additional resources required.

Companies using this strategy, use the requirements of ISO 14001/EMAS to establish an EMS, but do not get their systems formally certified.

Advantages:

  • Identification of possible areas which can save costs such as materials, waste, recycling and utilities.

  • Reduced potential for environmental incidents through improved environmental awareness.

  • Avoidance of fines through legislative compliance.

Disadvantages

  • Possible loss of customers who purchase products/services from certified companies only.

  • Commitment to continual improvement by environmental performance required by ISO 14001 and EMAS has to be accepted by customers without independant third-party acknowledgement.

 

Model No. 3 - Pursue certification/registration to ISO 14001/EMAS

Implementing a formal EMS which is then certified to ISO 14001/EMAS means the company has entered into a continual improvement process, and has been audited by an independent third party. The external auditors certifying the system conduct regular visits to businesses to check on progress and to verify that continual improvement is taking place.

Advantages:

  • Achievement of benefits outlined in model 2 above.

  • Use of certification as a tool for competative advantage to strengthen market share.

  • Improve public image.

Disadvantages

  • Costs of maintaining certification (financial and time).