Environmental ISO 14001:2004 Overview

ACI Global supporting ISO 14001:2004 and Environmental Management to leave our Global Community in better hands.

The revised international standards on Environmental Management Systems - Specification with guidance for use (ISO 14001:2004) and Environmental management systems - General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques (ISO 14004:2004) were published on 15 November 2004.

The Proposed Changes - An Overview

The main amendments to ISO 14001:2004 standard are:

Clarification of requirements
Alignment with ISO 9001; and
Text changes

The overall objective and requirements of the revised standard, ISO 14001:2004 are essentially the same as the current standard. As such an existing EMS which is well implemented and maintained is likely to require only minor modifications to achieve compliance against the revised standard.

Refer to the links below for further details on the revision of ISO 14001:2004.

ACI Global supports ISO 14001:2004 and environmental management systems. We believe that the shareholders, customers, and employees of corporations have much to gain from environmental management we owe it to our future generation. Our goal is to encourage organizations to implement environmental management systems and to move into a sustainable relationship with all inhabitants of this great global community of ours.

ISO 14000 Concepts

ISO 14000 is a group of standards covering the following areas:

Environmental Management Systems (14001, 14002, 14004)Environmental Auditing (14010, 14011, 14012)Evaluation of Environmental Performance (14031)Environmental Labelling (14020, 14021, 14022, 14023, 14024, 14025)Life-Cycle Assessment (14040, 14041, 14042, 14043)

ISO 14001:2004 is the only standard intended for registration by third parties. All the others are for guidance. ISO 14001:2004 is a management standard, it is not a performance or product standard. The underlying purpose of ISO 14001:2004 is that companies will improve their environmental performance by implementing ISO 14001:2004, but there are no standards for performance or the level of improvement. It is a process for managing company activities that impact the environment.Some unique and important characteristics of ISO 14001:2004 are:

It is comprehensive: all members of the organization participate in environmental protection, the EMS considers all stakeholders, and there are processes to identify all environmental impacts. It is proactive: it focuses on forward thinking and action instead of reacting to command and control policies. It is a systems approach: it stresses improving environmental protection by using a single environmental management system across all functions of the organization.The Environmental Management System contains the following elements:

An environmental policy supported by top management;
Identification of environmental aspects and significant impacts;
Identification of legal and other requirements;
Environmental goals, objectives, and targets that support the policy;
An environmental management program;
Definition of roles, responsibilities, and authorities;
Training and awareness procedures;
Process for communication of the EMS to all interested parties;
Document and operational control procedures;
Procedures for emergency response;
Procedures for monitoring and measuring operations that can have a significant impact on the environment.
Procedures to correct Non conformance.
Record management procedures.
A program for auditing and corrective action.
Procedures for management review.

Environmental Management Systems:

There are three components to an Environmental Management System (EMS):

Firstly A written program - Education and training; and knowledge of relevant local and federal environmental regulations.The written program requires the company to be committed to producing the highest quality product with the lowest possible environmental impact. It sets forth the procedures to be followed to achieve this goal.A program will not be effective unless all employees have access to and understand the EMS. This is achieved through education and training. The EMS must also incorporate the relevant local and federal environmental regulations that apply to their specific facility.

Secondly Environmental Performance Evaluations - Environmental Performance is measured by quantifying the impact a business is having on the environment. This is determined initially by an inventory of those impacts such as air emissions, and wastewater discharges. Establishing a baseline from the inventory, a company can then identify indicators of improvement. For example, a chlorine and caustic soda plant uses mercury cells as part of the production process. A baseline inventory identified mercury as having the major impact on the surrounding environment. Mercury levels were measured in surface and groundwater draining from the plant into an adjacent estuary. Controls were instituted that involved a change in the manufacturing process (filtering of plant discharge water) and secure containment of waste sludge's. Testing and analysis of shellfish tissue from around the plant showed progressive declines in mercury concentrations since implementation of these measures.

Thirdly Environmental Auditing - An environmental audit is similar to a medical exam; is a routine evaluation of a company's environmental controls. Conducted by an independent third party, it defines the inputs (raw materials, energy) and outputs (waste streams, emissions) for the system. This mass balance approach allows inefficiencies within the system that have an environmental impact to be identified.Management is provided with the audit report and then implements those changes necessary to reduce environmental impacts. A schedule is developed to allow progressive implementation of these changes before the next audit. Environmental audits are typically conducted annually. Severe problems may require more frequent "mini-audits" to monitor the operation of specific processes.

Life Cycle AssessmentAll products have a life cycle; they are born (manufactured), they live (operated) and die (disposed). As an example, take the life cycle of the automobile. During manufacture, solvents such as trichloroethylene are commonly used to wash metal parts. These components are very soluble and persistent to breakdown in the environment. Paints (designed to protect the car body) contain high concentrations of metals. At this point in the life-cycle efforts are geared towards substituting less harmful products and minimization of the waste stream.During its operating life, the car will generate emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon vapours. It will also consume non-renewable energy (petroleum). Finally, at the end of its life, the car will end-up on a junk pile or in a landfill spaceAutomobile companies are already reporting life cycle assessments of their products. We are seeing the development of cars with fewer body parts and being made with a greater percentage of renewable materials (plastic and aluminium). Operational emissions are being reduced by the use of alternative fuels (natural gas, propane)

catalytic converters and the development of more fuel efficient engines. While the life cycle idea is readily understood, the specifics are often hard to quantify. Life cycle assessment is still a concept for many products versus an exact science.

However, the underlying message is very clear, what we make today will he inherited by our children tomorrow.

WHY SHOULD A COMPANY PURSUE ISO 14000?

There are several good reasons for a company to seek ISO 14001:2004 certification. It will result in a reduction in operational costs as greater efficiencies are achieved, reduce environmental impacts, result in more favourable insurance rates and enable a company to gain competitive advantage. In addition the company will develop a positive image with its shareholders and customers.

ISO 14001:2004 is an environmental standard which will leave our Global Community in better hands for future generations, are you prepared?

Read the following statements and find out just where your organisation sits with its treatment of our Environment.

ISO 14001:2004 statements.

Statement 1: Environmental Policy - An environmental policy has been defined by top management that includes the following:

It is appropriate for the nature, scale and environmental impacts of the company's activities, products, and services.
It includes a commitment to continual improvement in the prevention of pollution.
It includes a commitment to comply with relevant environmental legislation, regulations, and requirements.
It provides a framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets.
It is documented, implemented, and maintained.
It has been communicated to all employees.
It is available to the public.

Statement 2: Environmental Aspects

A procedure exists to identify environmental aspects and determine which have significant impacts on the environment.
Significant aspects are considered when setting environmental objectives.
This information is kept up-to-date.

Statement 3: Legal and Other Requirements.

A procedure exists to identify and have access to legal and other requirements pertaining to the environmental aspects.

Statement 4: Objectives and Targets.

These have been established at each relevant function and level.
Legal and other requirements were considered in establishing them.
Significant environmental impacts were considered in establishing them.
Technological options were considered in establishing them.
Financial, operational, and business requirements were considered in establishing them.
The views of interested parties were considered in establishing them.
They are consistent with the environmental policy.

Statement 5: Environmental Management Programs

An environmental management program for achieving objectives and targets has been.
Established and includes:

Designation of responsibility for achieving objectives and targets at each relevant.

Function and level of the company.

The means and time-frame for accomplishment.

The program applies to new developments, new or modified activities, products, and services.

Statement 6: Structure and Responsibility.

Roles, responsibilities, and authorities are defined, documented, and communicated.
Resources are provided that are essential to the implementation and operation of the environmental management system.
A specific management representative (one or more) has been appointed by top management with defined roles, responsibility, and authority for:

Establishing, implementing, and maintaining the EMS.

Reporting on the performance of the EMS to top management.

Statement 7: Training, Awareness, and Competence

Training needs are identified and all personnel whose work may create a significant impact upon the environment have received appropriate training.
Procedures are established and maintained to make appropriate employees aware of:

The importance of conformance with environmental policy and procedures.

The requirements of the EMS.

The significant environmental impacts of their work activities.

Environmental benefits of improved personal performance.

Their roles and responsibilities in achieving : conformance with

Environmental policy, procedures, and EMS.

The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures.

Personnel performing tasks which can cause significant environmental impacts are competent.

Statement 8: Communication

The company has established and maintains procedures for:

Internal communications among levels and functions.
Receiving, documenting, and responding to relevant communication form external interested parties.
The company has considered processes for external communication on its significant environmental aspects and recorded its decision.

Statement 9: EMS Documentation.

Information describing the core elements of the EMS and their interaction has been established and maintained.
Information providing directions to related documentation has been established and maintained.

Statement 10: Document Control.

A procedure has been established and maintained for controlling documents to ensure that:

They can be located.
They are periodically reviewed, revised, and approved by authorized personnel.
Current versions are available at all appropriate locations.
Obsolete documents are promptly removed.
Obsolete documents retained for preservation purposes are identified as such.
Documents are legible, dated, readily identifiable, maintained, and retained.
Procedures exist and are maintained for creation and modification of documents.

Statement 11: Emergency Preparedness and Response.

There are procedures for identifying the potential for and response.
to accidents and emergency situations.
There are procedures for preventing and mitigating the environmental.
impacts that may be associated with emergencies.
These are reviewed and revised as necessary.
Procedures are periodically tested where practicable.

Statement 12: Monitoring and Measurement.

Procedures exist and are documented to regularly monitor and measure the key characteristics of operations having a significant impact on the environment.
This includes recording information to track performance, relevant operations controls, and conformance with objectives and targets.
Monitoring equipment is calibrated and maintained and records of the process retained.
A procedure exists for periodically evaluating compliance with legislation and regulations.

Statement 13: Nonconformance and Corrective and Preventive Action.

Procedures exist and are maintained for defining responsibility and authority.
for handling and investigating Nonconformance and taking appropriate action.
Corrective or preventive actions are appropriate.
Changes in procedures resulting from corrective and preventive action are documented.

Statement 14: Records.

Procedures are established and maintained for the identification, maintenance, and disposition of environmental records. These include training and audit results.
Records are legible, identifiable, and traceable to the activity, product, or service involved.
Records are easily retrievable and protected from damage, deterioration, or loss.
Retention times are established and recorded.
Records demonstrate conformance to the standard.

Statement 15: EMS Audit.

A program and procedures for periodic EMS audits is established and maintained.
The audits determine:.

Whether the EMS conforms to the ISO 14001 standard.

Whether it has been properly implemented and maintained.

The program provides information on the results of audits to management.
Procedures cover the audit scope, frequency, and methods, and responsibilities and requirements for conducting audits and reporting results.

Statement 16: Management Review.

Top management regularly reviews the EMS to ensure its suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. The review is documented.
Information necessary for management to do this is collected.
The review shall consider the need for changes to policy, objectives, and other elements of the EMS resulting from audit results, changing conditions, and the commitment to continual improvement.

Having read through these statements where is your organisation at? Part way to compliance, need help then now is the time to contact ACI Global We should all recognize the need for environmental protection. Industrialization has contributed to the demise of our air, water, and soil quality As a result, environmental regulations have been developed for emissions to the air, water and lands however, and these are external laws which often change, making it difficult for a company to remain current.ACI Global believes the ISO 14001:2004 series is a great method for achieving environmental protection for your organisation. This enables a company to integrate quality management systems within their business operations without relying solely on external laws. This is the basis for the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management standards.

How much? That depends on how many people in the company, how complicated your processes are and what you actually do.

Your next step? return to International Environmental Management Programmes and Courses ISO 14001:2004 and Auditor Training and commence your taining journey today.

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