ISO 14001
The ISO
14001 Environmental Management Standard series is a set of intentional
standards that focus on environmental
management. This series focuses, not on the actual product, but how
the product is produced. Its origins can be traced all the way back to the
United Nations Conference on Human Environment in 1972. It took another 20
years, however, before the standards and guidelines were actually put into
place at the Rio Summit on Environment
in 1992.
What
is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001
is the most well-known standard in the ISO 1400 family. Unlike many other
quality control standards, the ISO 14001 standard does not have any exact
measures. Instead it serves as the framework of control for businesses and
establishments to create their own Environmental Management Standards; it
focuses on how the standards can be applied in a business or organization to
meet the guidelines and standards. Each business must establish its own targets
and performance measures.
The ISO
14001 Standard is also the only standard against which businesses and
establishments can achieve certification from a third party. Achieving
certification is based upon meeting all three of the components of the ISO
14001 Environmental Management Standards; minimizing how business operations
negatively impact the environment, complying with the regulations and laws
outlined in the EMS and continual improvement.
ISO
14001 Principles
The ISO
14001 Standard is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act
methodology, which is a system based on a concept of continual improvement.
It encompasses a total of 17 elements that are grouped into five phases.
1.
Environmental Policy (Plan): Review processes and
products to identify the current elements of operation and how those elements
impact the environment. Future operations are also assessed during the plan
phase to determine how they may impact various environmental aspects. Impact
may be direct (manufacturing process) or indirect (raw materials).
2.
Planning (Do): Identify the resources that
are required and document all procedures. Communication and participation are
essential to ensure success, especially in top management positions.
3.
Implementation and Operation (Check): Measure and monitor
processes. Report data and results.
4.
Checking and Corrective Action (Act): Ensure that objectives are
being met through a planned management review. Data gathered in step 3 is used
to determine if any corrective action is needed. Make necessary changes.
5.
Management Review (Continual Improvement Process):
Based on three dimensions that gradually move the business from operational
environmental measurement towards a more strategic approach when dealing with
environmental concerns and challenges. Dimensions include:
- Expanding the Environmental
Management Standards to more and more businesses areas
- Enrichment by managing more
and more processes, products, resources and activities
- Upgrading to improve the
organizational and structural framework of the EMS.