ISO 14001 Environmental Management system
In today’s global economy, organizations are increasingly called upon to demonstrate sound management of environmental, social, and governance compliance. Evidence suggests that a focus on this “ triple bottom line ” results in advantages in financing, insurance, marketing, regulatory treatment, and other areas. An Environmental management system (EMS) is structured approach to addressing the environmental bottom line to such as ISO 14001 world’s most reorganized EMS frame work . Benefits of registration are:
– reduced raw material/resource use ;
– reduced energy consumption ;
– improved process efficiency ;
– reduced waste generation and disposal costs, and utilization of recoverable resources.
A environmental management system is a common sense, The overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy. They are based on standards, which specify a procedure for achieving effective Environmental management. ISO 14001 is the most commonly used international standard that provides a framework for a environmental management system
ISO 14000 series is a generic name given to a family of standards developed to provide a framework around which a environmental management system can effectively be based.
The ISO 14001 standards was published in 2015. (Latest version)
In order to use ISO 14001 to the fullest in helping you to manage your organization’s processes there are a number of steps to take:
– first you need to define what you do and how your organization goes about its business,
– then capture this in a documented system,
– and you have to do what you say you do,
– then make sure you do it effectively,
– and lastly demonstrate this to your stakeholders through registration
Implementing a Environmental Management System
Purchase the Standard
Before you can begin preparing for your application, you will require a copy of the standard. You should read this and make yourself familiar with it.
Review support information’s and documents
There are a wide range of quality support information’s and documents are available in internet to help you understand, implement and become certified to a environmental management system. (You can watch our YouTube Channel for few information’s)
Form a core team and agree on your strategy
You should begin the entire implementation process by preparing your organizational strategy with top management. Responsibility for a EMS lies with Top Management, therefore it is vital that Top Management is involved from the beginning of the process. With the support of Top Management form a core team. This team can include the process owners, members.
Consider Training
Whether you are the Environmental Engineer or a process owner seeking to implement a environmental management system or a Senior Manager who would like to increase your general awareness of ISO 14001, Aspect Impact Study, Product Life cycle etc there are a range of workshops, seminars and training courses available.
Review Consultancy Options
The consultancy is the 3rd party like NUCLEUS, You can receive advice from independent consultants on how best to implement your management system. They will have the experience in implementing a MS and can ensure you avoid costly mistakes.
Choose a register
The registrar is the 3rd party, like (Check with International Accreditation Forum for the accredited certification body) who come and assess the effectiveness of your environmental management system, and issue a certificate if it meets the requirements of the standard. Choosing a registrar can be a complex issue as there are so many operating in the market. Factors to consider include industry experience, geographic coverage, price and service level offered. The key is to find the registrar who can best meet your requirements. A great place to start is by contacting us.
Develop a Environmental Management System
You need to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve a Environmental Management System in line with ISO 14001:2015. Your processes need to adhere the Plan-Do-Check-Act + Risk Based Thinking. You need identify the scope, aspect/impact, applicable compliance obligations and manage you EMS accordingly.
Develop support documentation
EMS Documentation outlines your intention to operate in a systemic manner. It outlines why you are in business, what your intentions are, how you are applying the standard and how your business operates. This is incudes processes, procedures and other documented. Quite simply, it outlines what you do to complete a task. It describes who does what, in what order and to what standard.
Implement your Environmental Management System
The key to implementation is communication and training. During the implementation phase everyone operates to the procedures and collects records that demonstrate you are doing what you say you are doing.
Conduct Internal Audit and Management Review
At planned intervals you need to conduct an internal audit and a management review to verify the established EMS is confirming the applicable requirements and it is effective, suitable and adequate.
Gain registration
You should arrange your initial assessment with your registrar. At this point the registrar will review your EMS and determine whether you should be recommended for registration.
Continual assessment
Once you have received registration and been awarded your certificate, you can begin to advertise your success and promote your business. To maintain your registration, all you need to do is continue to use your environmental system. This will be periodically checked by your registrar to ensure that your environmental System continues to meet the requirements of the standard.
EMS Registration
Registration to ISO 14001 takes place when an accredited 3rd party visits an organization, assesses the management system and issues a certificate to show that the organization abides by to the principles set out in ISO 14001 :2015.
Your Management Systems certificate is a sign of acceptability which saves you having to prove your compliance toward environmental management . ISO 14001 speaks an international language. Once you are certified means, the certificate is valid for 3 years and it is subject to the completion of the annual surveillance audit.
Why do I need registration?
Gaining registration to ISO 14001 through an authentic certification body will help your organization flourish. Whether you are looking to operate internationally or to expand locally to accommodate new business, ISO 14001 will help you demonstrate to customers that you have a commitment to environment.
The regular assessment process will ensure you continually use, monitor and improve your processes.
Registration can improve overall performance, remove uncertainty and widen market opportunities.
