Article Details
What is ISO 14001 and the need of ISO 14001 |
| Date Added: February 17, 2010 05:45:52 PM |
| Author: Mark |
| Category: Business & Economy: Consultancy |
| What does ISO 14001 require? 1. A well defined documented procedure that is implemented and maintained in such a way that successful achievement of environmental goals commensurate with the nature and scale of our activities is promoted. In addition, the EMS must include appropriate monitoring and review to ensure effective functioning of the EMS and to identify and implement corrective measures in a timely manner. 2. ISO14001 standards include the need for sites to document and make available to the public an Environmental Policy. In addition, procedures must be established for ongoing review of the environmental aspects impacts of products, activities, services. Based on these environmental aspects impacts, environmental goals and objectives must be established that are consistent with the environmental policy. Programs must then be set in place to implement these activities. Internal Audits of the EMS must be conducted routinely to ensure that non-conformances to the system are identified and addressed. In addition, the management review process must ensure top management involvement in the assessment of the EMS, and as necessary, addressing need for changes. 3. The Environmental Management System (EMS) document is the central document that describes the interaction of the core elements of the system, and provides a third-party auditor with the key information necessary to understand the environmental management systems in-place at the company. Consistent with the principles of ISO14001, the Environmental Policy and Environmental Aspects/impacts analysis, including legal other requirements, shape the program by influencing the selection of specific measurable environmental goals, objectives, targets. Specific programs and/or projects must then be developed to achieve these environmental goals, objectives, targets (in ISO14001 terms, this would be referred to as "Implementation Operation"). The checking corrective action elements of the system help ensure continuous improvement by addressing root causes on non-conformances. The ongoing management review of the EMS and its elements helps to ensure continuing suitability, adequacy, effectiveness of the program. Why concern about ISO-14001? For many companies, conformance to ISO14001 may become a contractual requirement of customers in both the U.S. and the European Community (EC). Thus, many companies are setting goals to establish environmental management systems that conform to ISO14001 guidelines in order to remain competitive in the global marketplace. What is the benefit of being registered to ISO14001? 01. ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. Conformance to the standard can help your company remain competitive in the marketplace. For many companies, both their competitors are seeking registration and their customers are beginning to demand conformance to ISO14001 guidelines. In addition, by establishing and maintaining an Environmental Management System that meets the standards established by ISO-14001, companies will be implementing a strong and effective environmental management program. 02. Some of the benefits of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the ISO14000 standards, include: identifying areas for reduction in energy and other resource consumption, reducing environmental liability and risk, helping to maintain consistent compliance with legislative regulatory requirements, benefiting form regulatory incentives that reward companies showing environmental leadership through certified compliance with an internationally recognized EMS standard, preventing pollution and reducing waste, responding to pressure from customers and shareholders, improving community goodwill, profiting in the market for "green" products, respond to insurance company pressure for proof of good management before pollution-incident coverage is issued, and demonstrating commitment to high-quality. |
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