About ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard
for the environmental management of businesses. It prescribes controls for those
activities that have an effect on the environment. These include the use of
natural resources, handling and treatment of waste and energy consumption.
The Benefits of implementing ISO 14001
Implementing an Environmental Management System is a
systematic way to discover and control the effects your company has on the
environment. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and
productivity. These are achieved by detecting ways to minimise waste and dispose
of it more effectively and by learning how to use energy more efficiently. It
verifies compliance with current legislation and makes insurance cover more
accessible.
How do you start to implement ISO 14001? What is
involved?
Firstly, you need to evaluate the effect your
organisation has on the environment. You then need to prioritise ways in which
you might reduce them. Next, identify the boundaries of your management system
and document your procedures for implementing the requirements of ISO 14001. You
will need to ensure these procedures are implemented and then audited. If you
have ISO 9000 systems in place, many of the requirements of ISO 14001 will
already be covered, or can be easily incorporated into them.
Once developed, internal audits are needed to ensure
the system carries on working. The setting of targets for the environmental
policy and continual measuring against it ensures the system is maintained.
Why seek certification to ISO 14001?
Once you have an environmental management system in
place, you may choose to have it externally audited. Following a successful
audit by an accredited certification body, you will be issued with a certificate
of registration to ISO 14001. This demonstrates that your organisation is
committed to environmental issues and is prepared to work towards improving the
environment. It also gives a competitive edge to the company's marketing and
enhances its image in the eyes of customers, employees and shareholders.
Joint ISO 14001 and ISO 9000 systems
There are several common elements between the two
standards, such as management review, document control, corrective action and
the requirement for trained personnel. These can be combined into a single,
joint system (together with Health & Safety if desired). Assessment of joint
systems is available and may be the most suitable and cost effective approach
for some companies.
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