ISO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 101 BASIC …€¦ · As with many other Management System...
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ISO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 101 BASIC CONCEPTS & PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED [email protected] | www.riskza.com | 0861 RISK ZA | 28 Siphosethu Road, Mt. Edgecombe, KZN
Transcript of ISO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 101 BASIC …€¦ · As with many other Management System...
ISO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 101 BASIC CONCEPTS & PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED
[email protected] | www.riskza.com | 0861 RISK ZA | 28 Siphosethu Road, Mt. Edgecombe, KZN
© Risk ZA Corporate Sustainability (PTY) Ltd. Page 2
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
CONTENTSWHAT IS ISO 14000? 4
WHAT IS ISO? 4
WHAT DOES 14001:2015 MEAN? 5
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ISO 14000 5
WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM? 6
WHY IS DOCUMENTED INFORMATION SO IMPORTANT? 6
ELEMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 7
WHY ISO 14001:2015 IS A GAME CHANGER 8
WORK WITH RISK ZA 8
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
© Risk ZA Corporate Sustainability (PTY) Ltd. Page 3
As an industry leading service provider with expertise in all aspects of corporate sustainability, we take the United Nations Environment Programme seriously. We have taken on board the warning that we are the last generation with a realistic chance of addressing the looming crisis of climate change. The World Economic Forum (WEF) published their 14th Annual Report in January 2019, which scans the global risk landscape. Environmental threats topped the list for the third consecutive year.
The Global Risks Report 2019 identifies extreme weather and climate change policy failures as the gravest threats over the next decade. The WEF urges governments and organisations to focus on the impact of these threats and prepare to contain potential fallout.
The impetus for change in South Africa is largely being spurred on by Government. We have seen the introduction of Carbon Tax in June 2019, and single-use plastic shopping bags will be phased out by 2020. A raft of new regulations will soon radically alter the waste management landscape.
These changes will inevitably push up the costs of doing business, unless companies seek alternatives with some urgency.
It’s possible to do nothing - but where will that lead you?
Looking for solutions seems the wisest path to take. We would advise that you choose to prepare by adopting sustainability plans that will see your business survive and thrive into the future.
At the forefront of this shifting climate is the ISO 14000 family of standards for Environmental Management, which set a clear path towards sustainable business economies.
Here we will look at some of the components of the ISO 14000 family of Environmental Standards, and the core elements of the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System.
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
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WHAT IS ISO 14000?ISO 14000 is a family of International Environmental Management Systems Standards.The ISO 14000 family of standards was developed because organisations needed standard operating procedures and policies for building effective Environmental Management Systems.
WHAT IS ISO?ISO stands for the International Organization of Standardization. ISO is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and was formed in 1947 with the purpose of developing standards for industrial and engineering processes.
Today ISO is the world’s largest and most reputable institution for internationally recognised standards, boasting over 21 000 standards.
ISO standards are not mandatory and they are usually developed by technical committees within the larger body of ISO.
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
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WHAT DOES 14001:2015 MEAN?ISO 14001:2015 is the most widely-applied standard within the family, and is used for designing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an Environmental Management System.
“14001” is the number identifier for the family of ISO Environmental Standards. “2015” denotes the year in which the standard was issued. All ISO standards are reviewed at least once every five years by all the ISO member bodies.
ISO is a global network of national standards bodies. Each member represents ISO in its country. The SABS is the ISO member body in South Africa.The SABS is the ISO member body in South Africa.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ISO 14000Important concepts at the core of the ISO 14000 family of standards include: risk-based thinking, the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, continuous improvement, and incentives for environmental maintenance and management. Click here to learn more about Risk-based Thinking.
THE 3 PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY: PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFIT = TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ACCOUNTING FRAMEWORK
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
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WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?An environmental management system is a set of policies and procedures designed to help organisations:
Reduce negative environmental impactImprove efficiency and operational effectiveness
As with many other Management System Standards, ISO 14001:2015 contains a set of requirements as well as guidelines for continuous improvement.
The ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Standard is made up of documented information, which explains how standard operating procedures, processes, and work instructions meet the requirements of the Standard.
The following should be made explicit:
What the EMS is going to doHow it’s going to be doneWho’s going to do itAnd when it will get done
WHY IS DOCUMENTED INFORMATION SO IMPORTANT?When you are trying to achieve ISO certification, the first significant milestone is the stage one audit.
In stage one: auditors will review documented information before visiting facilities. Auditors often perform an onsite audit to obtain confirmation that documented information is in place.
In stage two: auditors will check if activities are compliant with the ISO 14001:2015 Standard. They will gather audit evidence based on observations, interviews and examination of documented information.
The purpose of maintaining and controlling documents and records is so that everyone in the organisation is using the most recent instructions, keeping the correct records, and understands the policies and procedures that allow you to operate.
You can learn more about Document Control and Document Control Software here.
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
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ELEMENTS OF THE ISO 14001:2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMThe ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Standard has the following core requirements
1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Top management defines the organisation’s Environmental Policy. It includes a statement of theenvironmental impact of the business’s activities, products and services as well as objectives and targets, among other things.
2. PLANNING
The purpose of planning is to develop a process for identifying compliance requirements, documenting targets and objectives, and creating a plan for implementation.
3. IMPLEMENTATION & OPERATION
After planning, the next step involves implementing the EMS. Procedures should be clearly defined, documented, and communicated for the purposes of training.
Training must be identified for all individuals involved with the EMS. Procedures are necessary so that employees are aware of the importance of conformance with policy, roles and responsibilities, emergency preparedness and response requirements.
4. CHECK & CORRECT
After implementing the EMS, observe how it functions, and make corrections as needed. This step ensures that the EMS is functioning as it should be.
5. MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Management reviews the EMS to make sure that everything is functioning within the scope of successful performance.
6. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
ISO 14001:2015 uses the principle of continuous improvement in order that organisations can optimise all aspects of the EMS.
ISO Environmental Management Systems 101: Basic Concepts & Principles Explained
© Risk ZA Corporate Sustainability (PTY) Ltd. Page 8
WHY ISO 14001:2015 IS A GAME CHANGER ISO 14001:2015 turns environmental management from a “checkbox” activity into a core business function. This approach reflects the latest sustainability thinking: to holistically manage all environmental challenges.
ISO 14001:2015 lays out a framework for an Environmental Management System that helps you to identify, track and control ALL your business’s environmental issues. Everything from air pollution to waste management, climate change mitigation, and resource efficiency are considered in this incredibly valuable and ‘all hands on deck’ Environmental Management standard!
WORK WITH RISK ZAWe have collective experience of over 30 years in training, consulting and implementing ISO related management solutions for organisations of all types and sizes in the Southern African region.
Whether you are new to EMS or simply looking to take your ISO 14001:2015 knowledge further, our team is here to help navigate you in the right direction. At Risk ZA, we are all about taking the complexity out of getting your organisation where it needs to be.
Contact us today on +27 (0) 31 569 5900 or email [email protected], and let us guide you in the right direction.
