Topic 4Environmental 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

Management System Standards

Product Support Tools

Auditing GuidelinesISO 14010ISO 14011ISO 14012

EnvironmentalPerformanceEvaluation GuidelinesISO 14031

EMSSpecification

ISO 14001

EMS GuideISO 14004

Life Cycle AssessmentISO 14040ISO 14041ISO 14042

EnvironmentalLabellingISO 14020ISO 14021ISO 14024

Terms and DefinitionsISO 14050

Environmental aspects of product standardsGuide 64

To be used by other standards writers

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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

Planning

Implementation and

operation

Checking andcorrective

action

Managementreview

Continual Improvement

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

Air pollutionRelease of VOCsVehicle maintenance

ImpactAspectService

Contribution to global warming & air pollution

Electricity useCountless electrical devices

ImpactAspectProduct

Contamination of soil or water

Accidental spillageHandling oil or hazardous materials

ImpactAspectActivity

Evaluating Significance

HighHigh

HighLow

LowHigh

LowLow

SignificanceConsequences of Occurring

Likelihood of Occurring

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

Planning

Implementation and

operation

Checking andcorrective

action

Managementreview

Continual Improvement

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 end-

of-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

NoYesConduct preliminary environmental review

WorldwideIn EuropeRecognized

ISOEuropean Committee for Standards

Developed by

All kindsAll kindsCertifiable organizations

NoYesControl contractors and suppliers

No but register of aspects similar & id legal requirements

YesProduce register of effects

YesYesObtain independent validation

NoYesMake program publicly available

NoYesPublish an environmental statement

Yes of EMS onlyYesConduct environmental audits

YesYesDevelop an environmental program

YesYesSet targets

YesYesDevelop an environmental policy

ISO 14001EMASComponent

Source:ISO

ISO Certification Numbers

Source:ISO

Other Relevant Initiatives

• OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program

• CERES

• Agenda 21

• Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award