subject: Key Elements Of Environment Management System Iso 14001 [print this page] ISO 14000 series of standards can be classified as the specification standard and guidance standard. ISO 14001 is the only specification standard to which companies would be registered. All other standards mentioned in the Table-1 are guidance standards and so are not prescriptive.
The overall aim of this international standard is to support environmental protection and prevention of pollution in balance with socio economic needs. However, it is not intended to be used to create non-tariff trade barriers or to increase or change an organisations legal obligations.
This international standard does not incorporate occupational health and safety management system elements. Nevertheless, the certification / registration process will only be applicable to aspects of the environmental management system. The company has to make targets related to environment issues for long run and achievement for the same. Also provisions for emergency so that environment is nowhere affected by the company. The elements of ISO 14000 are listed below.
ISO 14001 Environment Management System Elements
Environmental Policy
Planning
1. Environmental aspects.
2. Legal and other requirements.
3. Objectives and targets.
4. Environmental Management Program.
Implementation and Operation
1. Structure and responsibility.
2. Training, awareness and competence.
3. Communication.
4. EMS documentation.
5. Document control.
6. Operational control.
7. Emergency preparedness and response.
Checking and Corrective Action
1. Monitoring and measurement.
2. Non-conformance and corrective and preventive action.
3. Records.
4. Environmental Management System audit
Management Review
The ISO 14001 Specification envisages 5 Core Elements for EMS, for the purpose of certification by third parties. These are:
1. Commitments and Policy
An organisation should define its environmental policy and focus on what needs to be done for ensuring continual environmental performance. It should also ensure commitment to the policy.
2. Planning
An Organisation should formulate a plan to fulfill its environmental policy.
3. Implementation
For effective implementation an Organisation should develop the capabilities and support mechanisms necessary to achieve its environmental policy, objectives and targets.
4. Measurements and Evaluation
An organisation should measure, monitor and evaluate its environmental performance.
5. Reviews and Improvement
An organisation should review and continually improve its environmental
management system, with the objective of improving its overall environmental performance.
Barriers And Constrains In Implementing EMS
The barriers and constraints in implementing Environmental Management System in our country can be perceived at two levels. One is at he Policy level and other at enterprise level. At the policy level, implementation of EMS may be hampered on account of:
I) Command and control regulatory framework encouraging end-of-pipe pollution control while EMS focuses on preventive strategies.
II) Lack of incentive to encourage adoption of EMS. One such incentive could be that the EMS certified Industry is not required to seek consent renewal every year. Consent can be given for 3 years i.e. period of the EMS certificate. If the certificate were withdrawn during surveillance, the consent would also be with drawn.
III) No clear accreditation policy in the country to accredit auditing and certifying agencies.
IV) Cost of Certification is prohibitive. Since within the country there are no accredited agencies offering ISO 14001certification, companies especially SMEs find it difficult to bear the cost of getting auditors from abroad.
V) Recurring cost of certification. Every 3 years companies would need to apply for re-certification. This is a recurring cost wherein the application fee also is payable every time. This fee itself is very high and acts as a deterrent.
VI) Lack of trained and qualified manpower e.g. auditors in the country. Industry would largely have to depend on manpower and resources outside the country for training, design and auditing the EMS.
VII) No clear emphasis on developing / strengthening institutions within the country to promote implementation of EMS.
Purpose And Benefits Of EMS (14001): -
Organisations certified to ISO 14001 would achieve significant competitive edge over Organisations engaged in similar operations (activities, products and services), as it reflects the proactiveness of Organisation to protect the environment through preventive mechanisms rather than corrective one.
A well functioning EMS provides confidence to the Organisation and the various stakeholders as well that and give the benefits as listed below:
1. Increase the Acceptance from financial institutions, Bank, Public, Insurance etc.
2. Improve Industry - Government Relations.
3. Improve Environment Performance, which in turn increase productivity of man and machines.
4. Meet customers environment expectations and maintain good public relations.
5. Govt. benefits.
6. Ability to Meet;
National/ International Legislation
Regional Variation in Legislation
7. Health and Safety of Workers
8. Public Image.
Consumer Opinion
Inter-company/ international Trade
9. Increase Employee Confidence.
ISO 14000 does not incorporate occupational health and safety management system elements; however, it does not discourage an organisation from integrating such management system elements.
