Topic 4
Environmental Management
Systems
Chapter 32
The Concept
So, what exactly are they?
Developing an EMS
• Create an environmental policy
• Set objectives and targets
• Implement a program to achieve
objectives
• Monitor and measure its effectiveness
• Correct problems
• Review the system to improve it and
overall environmental performance
Standard
A documented agreement containing
technical specifications or other precise
criteria to be used consistently as a rule,
guideline or definition of characteristics to
ensure that materials, processes products
and services are fit for their purpose
EMAS: Eco-Management and
Audit Scheme
• currently voluntary but could become mandatory
• site-based and originally confined to industrial
activities but has been extended to any
organization that has an impact on the
environment
• makes adherence to a formal EMS and auditing
mandatory and requires that organizations make
independently verifiable public statements about
their environmental performance
EMAS – Specific Objectives
• promote continuous improvements in
environmental performance by
establishing policies, programs and
management systems;
• perform systematic, objective, and periodic
evaluation of these elements;
• provide relevant information about these
activities to the public
EMAS Requirements
•
•
•
•
Adopt an environmental policy
Conduct an environmental review
Set environmental objectives
Introduce an environmental program
and EMS
• Set-up an environmental auditing
program
• Prepare an environmental statement
ISO 14000
• 1979: ISO 9000 – management standards for quality
management and quality assurance systems
• 1991: investigation into whether an international
environmental standard could:
– Promote a common approach to environmental management
– Enhance an organization’s ability to attain and measure
improvements in environmental performance
– Facilitate trade and remove trade barriers
• 1993: Preparation of separate ISO after concluded that
the knowledge required for EM is distinct enough to
warrant
Evaluation &
Auditing Tools
Auditing Guidelines
ISO 14010
ISO 14011
ISO 14012
Environmental
Performance
Evaluation
Guidelines
ISO 14031
Management
System Standards
EMS
Specification
ISO 14001
EMS Guide
ISO 14004
Product Support
Tools
Life Cycle
Assessment
ISO 14040
ISO 14041
ISO 14042
Environmental
Labelling
ISO 14020
ISO 14021
ISO 14024
Terms and Definitions
ISO 14050
To be used by other
standards writers
Environmental aspects of product
standards
Guide 64
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*
*
ISO 14001 Specification
•
•
•
•
•
0 Introduction
1 Scope
2 References
3 Definitions
4.0 Specification
– 4.0 General
– 4.2 Environmental policy
– 4.3 Planning
• 4.3.1 Environmental aspects
• 4.3.2 Legal & other
requirements
• 4.3.3 Objectives & targets
• 4.3.4 Env mgt program
– 4.4 Implementation and
operation
• 4.4.1 Structure &
responsibility
• 4.4.2 Training, awareness, &
competence
•
•
•
•
•
4.4.3 Communication
4.4.4 EMS documentation
4.4.5 Document control
4.4.6 Operational control
4.4.7 Emergency preparedness
& response
– 4.5 Checking and corrective
action
• 4.5.1 Monitoring &
measurement
• 4.5.2 Non-conformance &
corrective & preventive action
• 4.5.3 Records
• 4.5.4 EMS audit
– 4.6 Management review
Commitment &
Environmental
policy
Management
review
Planning
Continual
Improvement
Checking and
corrective
action
Implementation
and
operation
Environmental Policy
• Statement of intentions and principles in
relation to overall environmental
performance
• Provides a framework for setting and
reviewing environmental goals and
objectives
Planning
• Identify environmental aspects of
activities, products and services
• Determine which are associated with
significant environmental impacts
• Identify and track legal and other
applicable requirements
• Establish objectives and targets
• Establish an EMS
Identifying Aspects and Impacts
Activity
Aspect
Impact
Handling oil or
Accidental spillage Contamination of
hazardous materials
soil or water
Product
Aspect
Countless electrical Electricity use
devices
Service
Vehicle
maintenance
Aspect
Release of VOCs
Impact
Contribution to
global warming &
air pollution
Impact
Air pollution
Evaluating Significance
Likelihood of
Occurring
Consequences
of Occurring
Low
Low
High
Low
Low
High
High
High
Significance
Data Analysis Tools
Legal & Other Requirements
• What might be:
– legal requirements?
– other requirements?
• How could they be tracked?
Objectives and Targets
Need to:
– reflect environmental policy and the identified
significant impacts
– consider financial, operational, and business
requirements
– be set by the organization for each relevant
function and level of the organization
– be specific
– be achievable
– where practicable, be quantifiable
– have deadlines
Which is which?
• Reduce the use of chemical solvents and
substitute biodegradable cleaners
• Reduce the use of chemical solvents 80%
by 2004
EMS
Must:
– designate responsibility for achieving
objectives and targets at each relevant
function and level
– provide the means for fulfilling objectives and
targets
– designate a time frame within which they will
be achieved
Commitment &
Environmental
policy
Management
review
Planning
Continual
Improvement
Checking and
corrective
action
Implementation
and
operation
Implementation & Operation
•
•
•
•
•
•
Structure and responsibility
Training, awareness and competence
EMS documentation
Document control
Operational control
Emergency preparedness and response
Checking & Corrective Action
• Measure, monitor and evaluate
environmental performance
• If problems occur, apply corrective action
• Maintain environmental records to
demonstrate conformance of EMS to ISO
14001
• Audit the EMS
Management Review
• Ensure EMS’ continuing suitability,
adequacy and effectiveness
• Consider audit results, changing
circumstances, commitment to
continual improvement
• Address possible changes to policy,
objectives
ISO 14001
•
•
•
•
•
•
Benefits
international standards help
level the playing field
reduce duplicity, conflicting
requirements of different
markets
satisfy stakeholder interests
lower insurance rates-due
diligence
internal benefits - reduce costs
pollution prevention, not endof-pipe
•
•
•
•
Concerns
increased costs
create trade barriers
does not ensure better
environmental performance
registration issues –
inconsistent interpretation of
standards
Criticisms of ISO 14000
• Does it help implement Agenda 21 or any international
environmental convention?
• Can ISO 14001 become an international trade standard
without operative participation from governments or
NGOs?
• How will an ISO14001 certified company demonstrate
that it has good environmental performance?
• How do governments, workers, and the public get
access to the environmental information prepared by an
ISO 14001 certified company?
EMAS vs. ISO 14001
Component
EMAS
ISO 14001
Develop an environmental policy
Yes
Yes
Conduct preliminary environmental review
Yes
No
Set targets
Yes
Yes
Develop an environmental program
Yes
Yes
Conduct environmental audits
Yes
Yes of EMS only
Publish an environmental statement
Yes
No
Make program publicly available
Yes
No
Obtain independent validation
Yes
Yes
Produce register of effects
Yes
No but register of
aspects similar & id
legal requirements
Control contractors and suppliers
Yes
No
All kinds
All kinds
European Committee for
Standards
ISO
In Europe
Worldwide
Certifiable organizations
Developed by
Recognized
ISO Certification Numbers
Source:ISO
Source:ISO
Other Relevant Initiatives
•
•
•
•
OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program
CERES
Agenda 21
Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award