Introduction
A management system is a means of attaining and maintaining standards of performance. The idea of a management system is to produce clear, repeatable written procedures, which can be followed in a way that ensures all work is carried out in a consistent, effective, efficient and economic manner.
What is an environmental management system?
Environmental Management System as described in ISO 14001
An environmental management system (EMS) is a way of recognising and assessing the impacts which your organisation has on the environment, and planning your efforts to reduce those impacts. It can be summed up in the diagram shown above.
The stages which are recognised as parts of the ‘continual improvement spiral’ shown above can be further described as follows:
Main elements of environmental management system standards
Based on ISO 14001 these are:
|
Stage |
Summary |
|
Environmental policy |
Sets the framework for the development of the organisation's environmental programme. |
|
Planning |
Identification of environmental aspects and impacts, legal and other requirements.
Prioritisation process to identify significant effects, and set objectives and targets to achieve continual improvement.
Develop environmental management programme (including allocation of responsibilities). |
|
Implementation and operation |
Structure and responsibility (define and provide resources, e.g. budgets).
Training, awareness and competence.
Communication.
Documentation and document control.
Operational control.
Emergency preparedness and response. |
|
Checking and corrective action |
Monitoring and measurement.
Non-conformance, and corrective and preventive action.
Records.
Environmental Audits. |
|
Management review |
Examination of the system elements including policy and objectives in the light of audit results, external factors and continual improvement goals. |
Origins of management systems
Many organisations use externally audited management systems in the areas of quality, environmental and safety management. Obtaining external certification gives potential customers (and other parties with an interest in what an organisation does) confidence that an organisation can be relied upon.
This kind of formalised, systematic approach to management was first applied in the field of quality management. It can be traced back to the requirements of the U.S. Military. Suppliers were required to provide documentary evidence that products were checked and tested during design, manufacture, dispatch and servicing.
The attention to detail required in such systems also drives improved performance in areas which are usually neglected, such as segregation of waste or individual energy-saving measures.
Over the years, a company’s ability to supply written, audited assurance of quality for its products or services has become a commercial advantage.
Environmental management systems were developed in the 1990s in response to the pressures on businesses to have effective systems in place to reduce the environmental impact from their business activities, and to be able to demonstrate this commitment to third parties.
Environmental management systems can be run in parallel with companies’ quality management systems. In many organisations, environmental and safety matters are administered by the same departments. There is clearly scope for integrating management systems for these three functions (see Health and Safety Management Systems).