A Brief Guide to a 14001 Environmental Management System

ISO 14001 is the chief international standard developed for Environmental Management Systems (EMEs). It is meant to prescribe organizations of all types a set of practices that help them control their harmful environmental impacts and minimize damages or consequences to the natural resources.  In short, an ISO 14001 environmental management system helps organizations adopt specific practices, conduct audits, and devise effective strategies to check the impacts of their inputs, processes, or products on the environment.

The importance of an ISO-certified EMS lies in ensuring your organizational commitment towards environmental impact management and sustainability with a set of achievable practices. Just like any other ISO management standard, ISO 14001 requires you to establish a strong management framework aligned with the standard’s requirements and orient it to the environmental goals of your organization.  Here are the prerequisites of ISO 14001 in brief. These can help in planning for the implementation of an EMS in your organization.  

 


Eligibility for ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard

Though environmental impacts are more intense in a few sectors like manufacturing, construction, or the energy sector, ISO 14001 is a general management standard applicable to organizations of any type. It is essential for businesses or organizations which need to take measures for controlling the impacts of their activities (mild to severe) on the environment.


Key Requirements for the ISO 14001 Standard

The key requirements of the ISO 14001 standard that an organization needs to fulfill for successful establishment of an EMS are summed as:


• Identification of the objectives and scope of EMS

• Understanding the environmental goals of your organization and formulating an environmental policy

• Determining the environmental targets and practices/actions for reaching those targets

• Documenting the scope, targets and practices 

• Monitoring the environmental performance and preparing reports 

• Keeping records of actions and operational controls

• Consistently improving the actions and controls to meet the new environmental challenges

 

Key Steps Organizations Need to Follow for ISO 14001 Implementation

Once you understand the scope and requirements of your EMS, these are the three vital steps needed ahead to get your EMS certified with the ISO 14001 standard.


1. Internal audit- This is a process where some dedicated individuals of your organization (with an understanding of ISO 14001) or an external audit agency would assess your EMS to check its compliance. They thoroughly evaluate the EMS against the ISO 14001 requirements and find the noncompliance issues (if any). In the process, they can also discover out any weaknesses in the EMS which need to be addressed to make the EMS effective in its functions. The team then prepares an audit report with the issues and course of actions needed to revoke them. 


2. Management review- The senior-level management of your organization should have discussions on the audit report with the employees. They decide a plan for the actions based on the suggestions made by the auditors along with their own inputs/measures to address all the noncompliance issues and shortcomings.


3. Corrective actions- The management then decides how, when, and by whom the corrective actions should be taken to make the EMS feasible and appropriate for ISO 14001 certification. 


If you want your EMS to be efficient and achieve your decided environmental performance goals, make sure you pass through these stages properly.  

 

Key Takeaway

Implementing the ISO 14001 environmental management is not just a milestone for your commitment to environmental protection. There are significant benefits of it beyond environmental management which directly flow to your business’s bottom line. You can save costs due to reduced wastes and optimal use of resources and energy fuels. There are minimal or no chances of environmental hazards which can save your organization from greater losses, both reputational and monetary. It also helps to significantly reduce your costs on insurances, legal fines, or penalties due to environmental risks. Overall, it gives organizations the opportunity to save costs and resources, while establishing their credibility and reputation in the market.


Contact Details:

Business Name: Compliancehelp Consulting, LLC

Email Id: info@quality-assurance.com

Phone No: 877 238 5855


Also Read: Why is ISO Certification Necessary for Your Business? Here’s the Answer

Location: 5686 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84118, USA

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