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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ISO 14000 SERIES | INTRODUCTIONThe aim of sustainable development is to minimize resource depletion , social instability and environmental damage for the larger cause of society and its welfare . For the accomplishment of this aim, companies need to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) that includes concern for environment. As a first step towards the goals for environment concerns is to establish an ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (E.M.S.).WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM(E.M.S.)?E.M.S. is a formal system concerned with managing the aspects of company’s activities , products and services that have and could have an impact on the environment. So we can say Environmental management system (EMS) refers to the management of an organisation's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It includes the organisational structure, planning and resources for developing, implementing and maintaining policy for environmental protection.WHY E.M.S. ? / OBJECTIVES OF E.M.S. * Serves as a tool to improve environmental performance. * Provides a systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs. * Is the aspect of the organization’s overall management structure that addresses immediate and long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment. * Gives order and consistency for organizations to address environmental concerns through the allocation of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices, procedures and processes. * Focuses on continual improvement of the system.BENEFITS OF E.M.S. 1. Financial BENEFITS * It helps in Cost savings through the reduction of waste and more efficient use of natural resources (electricity, water, gas and fuels.) * It helps to avoid fines and penalties from not meeting environmental legislation by identifying environmental risks and addressing weaknesses. * Reduction in insurance costs by demonstrating better risk management... 2. Operational and Internal BENEFITS * It helps to Improve overall performance and efficiency. * It is able to monitor and reflect (audit) your business and see which areas need intervention. 3. External BENEFITS * It creates Better public perception of the organization, leading to improved sales. * Reduction of the impact (e.g. noises, smells, dust) of organization activities on the local residents, leading to more community support. * HOW IS THE EMS MODEL WORK?An EMS follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle, or PDCA. The diagram shows the process of first developing an environmental policy, planning the EMS, and then implementing it. The process also includes checking the system and acting on it. The model is continuous because an EMS is a process of continual improvement in which an organization is constantly reviewing and revising the system.This is a model that can be used by a wide range of organizations — from manufacturing facilities to service industries to government agencies. ISO 14000 SERIESINTRODUCTIONISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, located in Geneva, Switzerland. ISO is a non-governmental organization established in 1947. The organization mainly functions to develop voluntary technical standards that aim at making the development, manufacture and supply of goods and services more efficient, safe and clean. ISO 14000 ISO 14000 is actually a SERIES of international standards on environmental management. It provides a framework for the development of both the system and the supporting audit programme . we can say the ISO 14000 is a family of internationally recognized standards for environmental management systems that is applicable to any business or organization, regardless of size, location or income. These standards are developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which has representation from committees all over the world. The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment. The major objective of the ISO 14000 series of norms is "to promote more effective and efficient environmental management in organizations and to provide useful and usable tools - ones that are cost effective, system-based, flexible and reflect the best organizations and the best organizational practices available for gathering, interpreting and communicating environmentally relevant information"The ISO 14000 standards reflect different aspects of environmental management. The following list outlines the broad coverage of each: * Environmental Management Systems: * 14001-2004, 14004 * Environmental Auditing: * 19011 * Environmental Labeling: * 14020, 14021, 14022, 14023, 14024, 14025 * Life Cycle Assessment: * 14040, 14041, 14042, 14043 | ISO 14001 | ISO 14001 was first published in 1996 and specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system. It applies to those environmental aspects which the organization has control and over which it can be expected to have an influence.The International Standard ISO 14001 sets out requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS) which can be employed by an organization to measure and document their environmental impact. EMS’s that meet the ISO 14001 requirements can be externally audited and certified by an accredited Certification Body. The certification body must be accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board in the USA, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service in the UK, or the National Accreditation Board in Ireland. Certification auditors need to be accredited by the International Registrar of Certification Auditors. What are the 17 requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 standard? * Environmental Policy - develop a statement of the organization’s commitment to the environment * Environmental Aspects and Impacts - identify environmental attributes of products, activities and services and their effects on the environment * Legal and Other Requirements - identify and ensure access to relevant laws and regulations * Objectives and Targets and Environmental Management Program - set environmental goals for the organization and plan actions to achieve objectives and targets * Structure and Responsibility - establish roles and responsibilities within the organization * Training, Awareness and Competence - ensure that employees are aware and capable of their environmental responsibilities * Communication - develop processes for internal and external communication on environmental management issues * EMS Documentation - maintain information about the EMS and related documents * Document Control - ensure effective management of procedures and other documents * Operational Control - identify, plan and manage the organization’s operations and activities in line with the policy, objectives and targets, and significant aspects * Emergency Preparedness and Response - develop procedures for preventing and responding to potential emergencies * Monitoring and Measuring - monitor key activities and track performance including periodic compliance evaluation * Evaluation of Compliance - develop procedure to periodically evaluate compliance with legal and other requirements * Nonconformance and Corrective and Preventive Action - identify and correct problems and prevent recurrences * Records - keep adequate records of EMS performance * EMS Audit - periodically verify that the EMS is effective and achieving objectives and targets * Management Review - review the EMS | ISO 14004 | ISO 14004, also published in 1996, provides GUIDANCE on the development and implementation of environmental management systems and principles, and also their co-ordination with other management systems.NOTE- The implementation of a robust EMS, which may incorporate ISO 14001, should lead to improve environmental performance, including better and more consistent legal compliance. | | | | | |