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Level 5 |
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Overview of Environmental Management Systems |
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ISO 14001 was adopted in September 1996 as the international standard for EMS by the International Organization for Standardization. Although by law some products have to comply with a Standard or a European Directive before they can be offered for sale in the UK or EU, ISO 14001 is not legally binding on companies. All types and sizes of organisation can use the standard whether in the commercial, service or industrial sectors. |
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The standard describes the main requirements for environmental management that are necessary for certification to the standard. These requirements are based on the continuous improvement model described below.
The basic rationale behind the continuos improvement model is: set environmental objectives based on a careful diagnosis of environmental risks, environmental opportunities, potential environmental impacts and legal obligations; implement a programme to deliver those objectives; monitor progress and adjust as necessary; and so on.
Although ISO 14001 requires companies to identify their significant aspects and effects, it does not require them to undertake an environmental review of their sites in order to find out this important information. However, guidance on the use of the standard (Annex A of ISO 14001) states that an organisation without an existing EMS should establish its position with regard to the environment by means of a review.
Under ISO 14001 more than one site of a company can be included in the certification. Third party certification to ISO 14001 is by an accredited certification body background="/envENVMAN5/course/images/back/back.jpg, although organisations can choose to make a self-declaration of compliance. Self-declarations are when a company uses the standard to establish its EMS but does not seek third party certification.
There is a high degree of conformity between ISO 9001/2 and ISO 14001. Companies with existing ISO 9001/2 QMS will have several of the components required for ISO 14001, such as documented management procedures and control systems, and audit and review mechanisms, and they should find it relatively easy to establish an EMS.
Tasks:
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The table below summarises the similarities and differences between ISO 140001 and EMAS.
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Elements |
ISO 14001 Requirement |
EMAS |
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Environmental policy |
YES |
YES |
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Environmental review |
YES Advised |
YES Mandatory |
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Register of significant environmental effects |
YES |
YES |
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Register of relevant environmental legislation |
YES |
YES |
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Specific objectives and measurable targets |
YES |
YES |
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Improvement programme(s) |
YES |
YES |
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Documented procedures for operational control |
YES |
YES |
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Control over contractors/suppliers |
YES Communicate relevant procedures |
YES Consider environmental performance |
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EMS manual |
YES |
YES |
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Internal EMS audits |
YES Periodic |
YES At least every three years |
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Environmental statement |
N/A |
YES Publicly available |
Although both standards require continuous environmental improvement, EMAS imposes some extra requirements on companies. These extra requirements include: