ISO 14000
The ISO 14000 family
ISO 14001 is the standard that gives the requirements for an environmental management system.
ISO 14001:2004 is the latest, improved version.
It is the only standard in the ISO 14000 family that can be used for certification.
The ISO 14000 family includes 21 other standards that can help an organization specific aspects such as auditing, environmental labeling, life cycle analysis.
Other ISO 14000 Series Standards
Other standards in the series are actually guidelines, many to help you achieve registration to ISO 14001.
These include the following:
ISO 14004 provides guidance on the development and implementation of environmental management systems
ISO 14010 provides general principles of environmental auditing
ISO 14011 provides specific guidance on audit an environmental management system
ISO 14012 provides guidance on qualification criteria for environmental auditors and lead auditors
ISO 14013/5 provides audit program review and assessment material.
ISO 14020+ labeling issues
ISO 14030+ provides guidance on performance targets and monitoring within an Environmental Management System
ISO 14040+ covers life cycle issues
Of all these, ISO14001 is not only the most well known, but is the only ISO 14000 standard against which it is currently possible to be certified by an external certification authority.
The ISO 14000 Survey
The worldwide total of ISO 14001 certificates at the end of 2007 was 154572.
This was an increase of 21 % over 2006 when the total was 128211.
Certificates had been issued in 148 countries compared to 140 the year before.
Benefits of ISO 14000
The ISO 14000 standards are practical tools for organizations who are not satisfied with simple compliance with legislation – which may be perceived as a cost of doing business. They are useful tools for proactive organizations who understand that implementing a strategic approach can bring return on investment in environment-related measures.
The systematic ISO 14001:2004 approach requires the organization to take a hard look at all areas where its activities have an environmental impact. A properly designed ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System (EMS) allows efficient identification of opportunities for cost savings. It can trigger procedural and/or technological changes that reduce the total cost of a product or improve its value.
Some of the benefits of implementing an ISO 14000 Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the ISO 14000 standards include:
1. Operational Benefits
Efficiency, discipline and operational integration with ISO 9000
Greater employee involvement in business operations with a more motivated workforce
Easier to obtain operational permits and authorizations
Assists in developing and transferring technology within the company
Helps reduce pollution
Fewer operating costs
Savings from safer workplace conditions
Reduction of costs associated with emissions, discharges, waste handling, transport & disposal
Improvements in the product as a result of process changes
Safer products
2. Environmental Benefits
Minimizes hazardous and non-hazardous waste
Conserves natural resources - electricity, gas, space and water with resultant cost savings
Prevents pollution and reduces wastage
3. Marketing Benefits
Demonstrates to customers that the firm has met environmental expectations
Meets potential national and international government purchasing requirements
Delivers profits from marketing "green" products
Provides a competitive marketing tool
Improves international competitiveness
4. Financial Benefits
Improves the organization’s relationship with insurance companies
Elimination of costs associated with conformance to conflicting national standards
Process cost savings by reduction of material and energy input
Satisfying investor / shareholder criteria
Helps reduce liability and risk
Improved access to capital
Procedure of ISO 14001 Adaptation of PDCA methodology
EMS requirements
1. General requirements
* Establishment, documentation, implementation, maintaining and continually improving an Environmental Management System (EMS)
* According to international standards
* Determination how to fulfill requirements
* Definition and documentation of scope of EMS
2. Environmental policy
Defined by top management
Plan
1. Define relevant environmental aspects
i.e. which products, processes and services of the organization have an impact on the environment
2. Consideration of legal/ other requirements
Legal and other requirements the organization is assigned to shall be matched
3. Objectives, targets and programmes
Shall be
Implemented in relevant functions and levels of an organization,
measurable,
consistent with environmental policy,
In compliance with legal requirements,
In compliance with continuous improvement
Do
1. Availability of resources, definition of roles, responsibilities and authority
Management has to create an procedure-friendly environment
2. Establish competence, training and awareness
within the organisation
3. Management of internal and external communication
i.e. with internal and external stake holders if decided to do so
4. Documentation
Keeping records and documents of procedures
5. Control of documents
Ensuring the suitability of the reports and documentation
6. Operational control
Permanent modification of operations if necessary
7. Preparation for emergencies and related response
How to handle emergency situation including periodical simulations
Check
1. Monitoring and measurement
Check of key characteristics of operations with significant environmental impact
2. Evaluation of compliance with legal requirements
Check of consistency
3. Nonconformity, corrective action and preventive action
Check how with nonconformities and actions is dealt and if sufficient
4. Control of records
Check of conformity through records
5. Internal audit
Check if conducted
ACT & CIP
1. Monitoring and measurement
Check of key characteristics of operations with significant environmental impact
2. Evaluation of compliance with legal requirements
Check of consistency
3. Nonconformity, corrective action and preventive action
Check how with nonconformities and actions is dealt and if sufficient
4. Control of records Check of conformity through records
5. Internal audit Check if conducted
How to pursue certification?
To become certified, a business must develop an Environmental Management system that meets the requirements of the standard.
The certification has to follow a few steps:
* Documents Review
* Pre-audit
* Internal Audit
* Verification and Corrective Actions (If needed)
* External Audit
* Verification and Corrective Actions (If Needed)
* Certification
Once your System has been documented and implemented, you must invite an accredited external auditor to evaluate the effectiveness of your system. If the auditors determine that your System meets all requirements as specified in the standard, they will certify your System. You can then announce to the world that the quality of our products / services is managed, controlled, and assured by a registered Quality / Management System.
