Its own special language...
Environmental management systems have acquired their own specialised terms and definitions, most of which are laid out in ISO14001 itself. Here are some of the most important terms briefly explained. (Many of the definitions shown here are based on the definitions given in the relevant clauses of ISO 14001.)
Policy
An environmental policy is a statement by the organisation of its intentions and principles in relation to its overall environmental performance. It provides a framework for action and for the setting of its environmental objectives and targets.
ISO 14001 specifies that the environmental policy should:
- be appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of its activities, products and services;
- include a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution;
- include a commitment to comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations, and with other requirements to which the organisation subscribes;
- provide the framework for setting and reviewing objectives and targets;
- be documented, implemented and maintained and communicated to all employees; and
- be available to the public.
Environmental aspect
An element of an organisation's activities, products or services which can interact with the environment.
Environmental impact
Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation's activities, products or services.
Note: Essentially, activities cause environmental aspects which cause environmental impacts and, therefore, activities and aspects need to be managed to achieve agreed levels of environmental performance.
Significance
An environmental aspect which has or can have a significant environmental impact.
Objective
Overall environmental goal, arising from the environmental policy, that an organisation sets itself to achieve, and which is quantifiable where practicable.
Target
Detailed performance requirement, quantified where practicable, applicable to the organisation or parts thereof, that arises from the environmental objectives and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve those objectives.
Programme
The objectives and targets, when taken together, make up a programme of environmental improvements within the EMS.
The programme must be supported and driven by the company’s management. Within the programme, the individual objectives and targets must be made the responsibility of people who have the capability and influence to get the job done. Time limits must be set and progress reviewed.
ISO 14001 requires environmental management programme(s) to be established for achieving the organisation's environmental objectives and targets. The programme(s) must include:
- designation of responsibility for achieving objectives and targets at each relevant function level of the organisation; and
- the means and time frame by which they are to be achieved.
Where a project relates to new developments and new or modified activities, products or services, the programme(s) will require amendment, where relevant, to ensure that environmental management applies to such projects.
Pollution prevention
ISO 14001 defines prevention of pollution as: ‘use of processes, practices, materials or products that avoid, reduce or control pollution, which may include recycling, treatment, process changes, control mechanisms, efficient use of resources and material substitution’.
Initial environmental review
ISO 14004 states that a review should cover four key areas:
- An identification of significant environmental aspects under normal, abnormal, start up, shut down and emergency scenarios.
- Applicable legal requirements.
- An examination of all existing environmental management practices and procedures.
- An evaluation of feedback from the investigation of previous emergency situations and accidents.
It also states that in all cases, consideration should be given to normal and abnormal operations and to potential emergency conditions.
Audit
ISO 14001 defines an environmental management system audit as:
‘A systematic and documented verification process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence to determine whether an organisation's environmental management system conforms to the environmental management system audit criteria set by the organisation, and communication of the results of this process to management.’
Audit scope
This is the breadth of the audit.
For example, it may only cover site issues with an emphasis on production operations, or it may cover broader areas such as supplier and product (use and disposal) issues, and, therefore, also include consideration of procurement practices, research and development and product design.
Audit depth
This is the level of detail of the investigation.
For example, it may involve a simple overview to provide a general outline of key issues (a preliminary review/survey), or it may involve a more detailed analysis – such as materials/waste inventories or detailed energy audit. The advantage of starting with a simple overview is that it can help with the learning curve of the environmental team by raising awareness, experience and confidence so that more detailed subsequent work is more effectively undertaken.
Stakeholders/interested parties
Anyone, inside or outside the organisation can have an interest in that organisation’s environmental performance.
The term ‘stakeholder’ was used in the original (1996) edition of ISO 14001. This was replaced by ‘interested party’ in the updated edition in 2004.
Interested parties could include:
- employees
- management
- regulators
- shareholders
- investors
- neighbours
- customers
- contractors
- pressure groups
Registers of environmental aspects and impacts
The register of environmental aspects/impacts is a working document to identify priorities and to provide a starting point for the management of those that are assessed to be significant.
Register of regulations
ISO 14001 states that:
‘The organisation shall establish and maintain a procedure(s)
a) to identify and have access to the applicable legal requirements and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes related to its environmental aspects, and
b) to determine how these requirements apply to its environmental aspects’.
This does not have to be a printed register as such, as long as there is an assessable method of recording, communicating and updating the relevant legislation.
The register of legislation and other policy requirements enables managers and employees to identify which laws and codes of practice they must comply with.
While there is no set format for the register and it should be designed to suit the organisation (e.g. house style), it should be based on a list of the key legislation, regulations and codes of practice affecting the organisation, and include appropriate summaries, responsibilities and cross references.