Overview of EMS and ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems Development Course Raleigh, NC July 24, 2001
Overview of EMS and ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems Development Course Raleigh, NC July 24, 2001
What is ISO?
International Organization for Standardization - Not an acronym "ISO" is a word, derived from the Greek isos, meaning "equal.
From "equal" to "standard-- line of thinking that led to the choice of "ISO" as the organizations name.
ISO Organization
TMB (Technical Mgmt. Board)
ISO
Other TCs...
History
1987 - World Commission on Env. & Development (WCED) published Our Common Future
first use of sustainable development called for the development of effective env. management systems by industries
January 1993 - ISO creates TC 207 (TC 176 over QMS standards - ISO 9000) Fall 1996 ISO 14001 adopted
SC 2 Environmental Auditing
SC 3 Environmental Labelling
WG on Forestry
WG1 Specification
WG 1 Aud. Principles
WG1 EPE
WG 2 Gen. Guidelines
WG 2 Aud. Procedures
SME WG
WG 3 Aud. Qual.
WG 4 Other Invest.
Sub-Committees of TC 207
SC 1: EMS - UK SC 2: Env. Auditing - Netherlands SC 3: Env. Labeling - Australia SC 4: Env. Performance Evaluation - US SC 5: Life Cycle Assessment - France SC 6: Terms and Definitions - Norway
ISO-related Acronyms
US TAG to TC 207, SCs and WGs Sts to the TAG NWIP, CD, DIS, and FDIS ISO specification standard/guidance or TR ANSI-RAB and the NAP
Product standards
LCA (14040), labeling (14020)
Registration
Terms certification and registration are synonymous May self-declare or self-certify Accredited registrars
Registrar
Ex. Underwriters Laboratory
Auditors
Ex. John Doe, certifies the EMS of an organization meets requirements of ISO 14001
Registrar
Auditors
What is an EMS?
Systematic way of managing an organizations environmental affairs Based on Plan-Do-Check-Act Model (PDCA) Focused on Continual Improvement of System Addresses immediate and long-term impact of an organizations products, services and processes on the environment. A tool to improve environmental performance
EMS
Focus not only on what but also why Top management priority Dynamic Flexible, simple Employee involvement
EMS
Much of an EMS may already be in place Key is to use a systematic approach to planning, controlling and improving environmental efforts Can be a vehicle for positive change
EMS Model
Policy
Management Review
Plannin g
Policy Statement/Commitment Identification of Significant Environmental Impacts Development of Objectives and Targets Implementation Plan to Meet Obj. and Targets Checking and Follow-up Training Management Review
EPA Position
published in Federal Register 3/12/98 Implementation of an EMS has the potential to improve an organizations environmental performance and compliance with regulatory requirements. EPA supports and will help promote the development and use of EMSs, including those based on the ISO 14001 standard...