ISO 14001 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ISO 14001 Training, Awareness, and Competence ISO 14001 is based on a principle of Communication continual improvement, starting with planning the EMS and development of EMS Documentation an environmental policy, through Document Control implementation and operation of the EMS, to checking the effectiveness and Operational Control correcting deficiencies in the EMS, to Emergency Preparedness and periodic review by executive Response management of the overall suitability Checking and Corrective Action and performance of the EMS, which leads to setting new goals and a new Monitoring and Measurement cycle beginning with planning. In other Non-conformance, Corrective words, an EMS is both mechanical, with and Preventive Action structure and interlocks, yet also organic, needing flexibility to grow and Records adapt to changing circumstances. EMS Audit Above all, to function effectively, an EMS relies on people and other Management Review. resources. ISO 14001 A – ISO 14001 contains 17 sections, The journey from good intentions to called elements, each of which demonstrable performance and with, and is dependent on, every successful registration to ISO need other element. There are no optional not be difficult or excessively elements in ISO 14001; all are essential demanding, but it does require focus, and have equal importance, though guidance, and above all, commitment. some are more equal than others! For most organizations, the first requirement will be to identify their The elements, in sequence, are: environmental aspects, the ISO 14001 term for all the organization’s activities, Environmental Policy products, or services that may impact Planning the environment. The next step is to assess the relative risks to the Environmental Aspects environment from each aspect and Legal and Other Requirements identify the top priorities. Another Objectives and Targets requirement of ISO 14001 is that all applicable laws and regulations relating Environmental Management to environmental performance must be Programs identified and complied with by the Implementation and Operation organization. Structure and Responsibility
ISO 14001 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ISO 14001 ISO 14001 is based on a principle of continual improvement, starting with planning the EMS and development of an environmental policy, through implementation and operation of the EMS, to checking the effectiveness and correcting deficiencies in the EMS, to periodic review by executive management of the overall suitability and performance of the EMS, which leads to setting new goals and a new cycle beginning with planning. In other words, an EMS is both mechanical, with structure and interlocks, yet also organic, needing flexibility to grow and adapt to changing circumstances. Above all, to function effectively, an EMS relies on people and other resources. ISO 14001 contains 17 sections, called elements, each of which with, and is dependent on, every other element. There are no optional elements in ISO 14001; all are essential and have equal importance, though some are more equal than others! The elements, in sequence, are: Environmental Policy Planning Environmental Aspects Legal and Other Requirements Objectives and Targets Environmental Management Programs Implementation and Operation Structure and Responsibility Training, Awareness, and Competence Communication EMS Documentation Document Control Operational Control Emergency Preparedness and Response Checking and Corrective Action Monitoring and Measurement Non-conformance, Corrective and Preventive Action Records EMS Audit Management Review. ISO 14001 – A The journey from good intentions to demonstrable performance and successful registration to ISO need not be difficult or excessively demanding, but it does require focus, guidance, and above all, commitment. For most organizations, the first requirement will be to identify their environmental aspects, the ISO 14001 term for all the organization’s activities, products, or services that may impact the environment. The next step is to assess the relative risks to the environment from each aspect and identify the top priorities. Another requirement of ISO 14001 is that all applicable laws and regulations relating to environmental performance must be identified and complied with by the organization.