ISO 14000

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• ISO 14000 is a set of rules and standards created to
help companies address their environmental impact.
• ISO 14000 certification is optional, not required.
• ISO 14000 certification can be used as a marketing
tool for engaging environmentally conscious
consumers.
Here are the key standards included in ISO 14000:

• ISO 14001: Specification of Environmental Management Systems

• ISO 14004: Guideline Standard
• ISO 14010 – ISO 14015: Environmental Auditing and Related Activities
• ISO 14020 – ISO 14024: Environmental Labeling
• ISO 14031 and ISO 14032: Environmental Performance Evaluation
• ISO 14040 – ISO 14043: Life Cycle Assessment
• ISO 14050: Terms and Definitions
 ISO 14001
• ISO 14001 is a voluntary international standard that
establishes the requirements for an environmental
management system (EMS).
• The objective of the standard is for an organization to
establish an EMS that is integrated with the overall
business management process.

Elements of the EMS

1. Environmental Policy
2. Planning
3. Implementation and Operation
4. Checking
5. Management Review
1. Environmental Policy

The Environmental policy establishes the foundation for an

organization to build its EMS. The following requirements apply:

• Top management shall define the policy

• The policy must be relevant to the activities, products, and

services of the organization

• The policy must show commitment to continual improvement

of the EMS and prevention of pollution

• The policy must be documented, communicated to all

employees and available to the public

IBM's Environmental affairs policy covers the corporation's

activities, products, and services worldwide, and includes a
commitment to environmental leadership and continual
improvement of our EMS and performance.
2. Planning
The organization must identify and plan for those elements of its business
that could interact with the environment. Actions necessary to meet this
element of the ISO 14001 standard include:

• Identifying the significant environmental aspects and impacts of its

activities, products, and services -- Depending on the organization's
business, significant aspects could include aspects such as air
emissions, water discharges, chemical consumption, and energy
consumption.

• Identifying and having access to applicable legal and other

requirements that apply to the organization -- This includes
understanding legal and permit requirements and ensuring that
employees whose jobs could impact these requirements understand
permit parameters.

• Setting and documenting environmental objectives and targets --

Objectives and targets are not required for every significant aspect. In
some cases, the significant aspect may be under operational control.

• Establishing environmental management programs for achieving these

objectives and targets -- The environmental management program
should detail who is responsible for achieving the objectives and
targets, the time frame, and the means.
3. Implementation and Operation
Implementation and operation are the next steps in putting together an
effective EMS. ISO 14001 requires the following:

• Define and communicate roles, responsibility, and authorities necessary

to establish, implement, and maintain the EMS -- There must be an
appointed management representative who, irrespective of other
duties, is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining
the EMS.

• Communicate the Environmental policy, objectives and targets, and

other elements of the EMS to employees and contractors --
Communication can take several forms such as training, poster
campaigns, and/or bulletin board announcements.

• Ensure that those employees whose job can have a significant impact
on the environment are appropriately trained -- These employees must
be informed of the potential environmental consequences of their
actions and must be competent to do their jobs.

• Establish procedures to handle environmental inquiries from interested

parties -- These inquiries could be about the EMS; the organization's
significant aspects, objectives, and targets; environmental performance;
or other environmental issues.
3. Implementation and Operation (cont.)
• Identify and describe the core elements of the EMS -- These could
include the Environmental policy, operating procedures, and
instructions.

• Control EMS documents and procedures -- Ensure they are current,

reviewed by the authorized person(s), and available at point of use.

• Maintain documented procedures to control operations that could

impact the environment -- These include work instructions, preventive
maintenance procedures, and other operational control procedures.

• Have an effective emergency preparedness and response plan -- Test it

periodically, as appropriate, and update it, as necessary after the
occurrence of environmental incidents.
4. Checking
To ensure effective implementation of the EMS it must be periodically
checked and corrective/preventive action taken when needed by
performing the following:

• Monitor and measure key characteristics of its operations and activities

that can have a significant impact on the environment, such as energy
use, chemical use, and waste, air, and water emissions.

• Handle nonconformances to the EMS efficiently by investigating root

cause(s) and ensuring corrective and preventive action is taken.

• Identify and maintain environmental records such as permits,

calibration records, training records, and monitoring and measuring
data.

• Periodically conduct audits of the EMS, which include the whole EMS
and not just compliance with regulations.
5. Management Review

Top management must periodically review the EMS in order to:

• Ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.

• Address possible needs for changes to the environmental policy,

objectives and targets, and other elements of the EMS.

• Identify opportunities for continual improvement.

Keys to success of the implementation process for ISO 14001
include:
• Top management commitment.
• Adequate resources to establish, implement, and maintain the
EMS.
• Assigned roles, responsibility, and authorities.
• Buy in from all levels.
• A structured and documented implementation plan.
• Adequate education, awareness, and training with respect to
the EMS.
• Appropriate procedures and documentation.
• An effective audit program.
There are numerous benefits of implementing ISO 14001. These
include:
• Providing a framework for a systematic and integrated
approach for environmental management which allows the
EMS to become part of the fabric of the organization's
business.
• Making the EMS "system" dependent and not "person"
dependent.
• Promoting sound environmental management which becomes
a means of doing business and not an end in and of itself.
• Positioning the organization as an environmental leader and
providing a framework by which to respond to environmental
inquiries from customers, stockholders and other interested
parties.
Novacroft is a leading software development business,
producing smartcards and smart technology for a range of
clients in the transport, education, and charity sectors. Since it
was founded 17 years ago, Novacroft has been committed to
standards, and it now holds certification to ISO 9001, BS 11000,
ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 14001. It regards standards as intrinsic
to its makeup. They are an all-important element of its mission
to improve and adapt to new markets and new environments –
and fulfil its mission to make a real and lasting impact on
society.

The second largest tea company in the world, Tata Global

Beverages has a US$1.4bn turnover and 3,000 employees
worldwide. They certified to ISO 14001 as they needed a
framework for their continued attention to environmental
issues. They have managed to reduce water consumption by
20%.