(ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Standard (EMS))
What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is
the internationally recognised standard for the environmental management of
businesses. It prescribes controls for those activities that have an effect on
the environment. These include the use of natural resources, handling and
treatment of waste and energy consumption.
The
Benefits of implementing ISO 14001
Implementing an Environmental Management System is a systematic way to discover
and control the effects your company has on the environment. Cost savings can be
made through improved efficiency and productivity. These are achieved by
detecting ways to minimise waste and dispose of it more effectively and by
learning how to use energy more efficiently. It verifies compliance with current
legislation and makes insurance cover more accessible.
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How
do you start to implement ISO 14001?
Firstly, you need to evaluate the effect your organisation has on the
environment. You then need to prioritise ways in which you might Gain ISO 14001
certification by completing our Free
Quote form.
Next, identify the boundaries of your management system and document your
procedures for implementing the requirements of ISO 14001. You will need to
ensure these procedures are implemented and then audited. If you have ISO 9000
systems in place, many of the requirements of ISO 14001 will already be covered,
or can be easily incorporated into them.
Once
developed, internal audits are needed to ensure the system carries on working.
The setting of targets for the environmental policy and continual measuring
against it ensures the system is maintained.
Gain IS0 14001 Certification
Find
out about ISO 14001 training
Why
seek ISO 14001 certification?
Once
you have an environmental management system in place, you may choose to have it
externally audited. Following a successful audit by an accredited certification
body, you will be issued with a certificate of registration to ISO 14001. This
demonstrates that your organisation is committed to environmental issues and is
prepared to work towards improving the environment. It also gives a competitive
edge to the company's Marking and enhances its image in the eyes of customers,
employees and shareholders.
Assessment to ISO 14001
Having
chosen a third party accredited certification body for your assessment, it will
review your documentation and carry out an initial audit of your site (often
called 'stage 1'). This will look at the company's evaluation of environmental
effects and ascertain if targets set for the management programme are measurable
and achievable. This is followed at a later date by a full audit (stage 2) to
ensure that records and working practices demonstrate that the company is
following its procedures.
After
a successful audit and the issue of a certificate, there will then be
surveillance visits (usually once or twice a year) to ensure that the system
continues to work.
This
is covered in more detail in ICMC’s Audit
Procedure information
sheet.
Why
choose icmc for your assessment?
icmc
has an enviable record for customer satisfaction with its certification
services. Our environmental audits focus on environmental issues, rather than
written documentation. Customers are given support and guidance between the two
stages of the audit. ICMC's annual registration fees are amongst the lowest in
the industry. In addition, we will provide you with a fixed quotation, free from
any additional expenses or disguised costs.
ICMC's
only employs auditors that possess a friendly and down-to-earth style to audits.
This approachable image has led to ICMC's continual growth through referrals
from contented clients and management consultants. Our auditors are also
carefully allocated by their experience in the industry they are assessing. This
results in a practical, meaningful audit, carried out in an air of mutual
understanding.
What is the cost of assessment to ISO 14001?
ICMC's
has produced a guidance price list for organisations seeking registration to ISO
14001. It is contained within our information pack (please contact
us for
a copy. However, there are many variables, such as an organisation's type and
size, and the possible resultant effect it has on the environment. Consequently,
we ask you to complete
a short questionnaire to
help us learn about your organisation. If you prefer, we will happily take these
details over the telephone. Click
here for contact details.
From this, we can provide you with a fixed, written quotation of the fees
involved. Organisations that are ISO 9001 registered with ICMC;s may benefit
from reduced annual registration fees for ISO 14001 certification. This is
because there are some common elements to the auditing process.
Joint ISO 14001 and ISO 9000 systems
There
are several common elements between the two standards, such as management
review, document control, corrective action and the requirement for trained
personnel. These can be combined into a single, joint system (together with
Health & Safety if desired). Assessment of joint systems is available and may be
the most suitable and cost effective approach for some companies.
EMS Requirement :
- General requirement
- Management Review- Environmental Policy |
- Environmental Planning
- Checking &corrective Action
- Continual improvement
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EMS Benefits
- Improving process
- Reduces emission & discharges- Prevention uncertainties & risks
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- Cuts energy, transportation & distribution
- Ensure the status of compliance with legal requirement
- Improve the confidence level of staff & society as a whole |
ISO Certification