Department of Environmental Science’s Karakoram international University Gilgit
Topic: environmental management system EMS 14001
Submitted to: Dr .karamat ali
Submitted by: Ali
Registration No: 2018-KIU-451-D
Course: EMS
Semester: Bs6th
Date: 30/Jan/2021
Introduction
Building an Environmental Management System (EMS) might sound like an overwhelming task for a
smaller organization, but it need not be. Taken in steps, it is a job that small and medium-sized
organizations can tackle. These pages will take you through basic steps as they are outlined in the 2001
Second Edition of Environmental Management Systems: An Implementation Guide for Small and
Medium-Sized Organizations. This page pulls out particular steps from the "Plan" section of the Guide,
and points back to specific pages in the guide to fill out worksheets and get additional materials.
ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an
organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. ISO 14001:2015 is intended for use by
an organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that
contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.
ISO 14001:2015 helps an organization achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management
system, which provide value for the environment, the organization itself and interested parties.
Consistent with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental
management system include:
enhancement of environmental performance;
fulfilment of compliance obligations;
achievement of environmental objectives.
ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to any organization, regardless of size, type and nature, and applies to the
environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that the organization determines it can
either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective. ISO 14001:2015 does not state specific
environmental performance criteria.
ISO 14001:2015 can be used in whole or in part to systematically improve environmental management.
Claims of conformity to ISO 14001:2015, however, are not acceptable unless all its requirements are
incorporated into an organization's environmental management system and fulfilled without exclusion.
Developing an Environmental Management System – Plan
Designed for any type of organization, regardless of its activity or sector, it can provide assurance to
company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is
being measured and improved.
Plan: Planning, including identifying environmental aspects and establishing goals
EMS Cycle of continuous improvement - PLAN step
Step 1: Define Organization's Goals for EMS
Step 2: Secure Top Management Commitment
Step 3: Select An EMS Champion
Step 4: Build An Implementation Team
Step 5: Hold Kick-Off Meeting
Step 6: Conduct Preliminary Review
Step 7: Prepare Budget and Schedule
Step 8: Secure Resources, Assistance
Step 9: Involve Employees
Step 10: Monitor and Communicate Progress
Time and resources are limited in any organization, so it is important to use resources wisely. The
information below illustrates 10 steps in the EMS planning process. Take the time to figure out what
needs to be done, how to do it, and who must be involved.
Step 1: Define Organization's Goals for EMS
The first step in EMS planning is to decide why you are pursuing the development of an EMS. Are you
trying to improve your environmental performance (e.g., compliance with regulations or prevent
pollution)? Write your goals down and refer back to them frequently as you move forward. As you design
and implement the EMS, ask the following questions: How is this task going to help us achieve our goals?
How should we define the project scope? (i.e., What is the "organization" that the EMS will cover? One
location or multiple locations? Should we "pilot" the EMS at one location then implement the system at
other locations later?)
Step 2: Secure Top Management Commitment
One of the most critical steps in the planning process is gaining top management's commitment to
support EMS development and implementation. Management must first understand the benefits of an
EMS and what it will take to put an EMS in place. To develop this understanding, explain the strengths
and limitations of your current approach and how those limitations can affect the organization's
financial and environmental performances. Management also has a role in ensuring that the goals for
the EMS are clear and consistent with other organizational goals. Management's commitment should be
communicated across the organization.
Step 3: Select An EMS Champion
Not all small or medium-sized organizations have the luxury of choosing among multiple candidates, but
your choice of project champion is critical. The champion should have the necessary authority, an
understanding of the organization, and project management skills. The champion should be a "systems
thinker" (ISO 9000 or ISO 14001 experience can be a plus, but is not necessary), should have the time to
commit to the EMS-building process, and must have top management support.
Step 4: Build An Implementation Team
A team with representatives from key management functions (such as engineering, finance, human
resources, production and/or service) can identify and assess issues, opportunities, and existing
processes. Include contractors, suppliers or other external parties as part of the project team, where
appropriate. The team will need to meet regularly, especially in the early stages of the project. A cross-
functional team can help to ensure that procedures are practical and effective, and can build
commitment to, and "ownership" of, the EMS.
Step 5: Hold Kick-Off Meeting
Once the team has been selected, hold a kick-off meeting to discuss the organization's objectives in
implementing an EMS, the initial steps that need to be taken and the roles of team members. If possible,
get top management to describe its commitment to the EMS at this meeting. The kick-off meeting is also
a good opportunity to provide some EMS training for team members. Follow-up this meeting with a
communication to all employees.
Step 6: Conduct Preliminary Review
The next step is for the team to conduct a preliminary review of your current compliance and other
environmental programs/systems, and to compare these against the criteria for your EMS (such as ISO
14001:2015). Evaluate your organization's structure, procedures, policies, environmental impacts,
training programs and other factors. Consider utilizing an ISO 14001 self-assessment tool or
incorporating Safer Choice for gap analysis tools.
Step 7: Prepare Budget and Schedule
Based on the results of the preliminary review, prepare a project plan and budget. The plan should
describe in detail what key actions are needed, who will be responsible, what resources are needed, and
when the work will be completed. Keep the plan flexible, but set some stretch goals. Think about how
you will maintain project focus and momentum over time. Look for potential "early successes" that can
help to build momentum and reinforce the benefits of the EMS.
Step 8: Secure Resources, Assistance
The plan and budget should be reviewed and approved by top management. In some cases, there may
be outside funding or other types of assistance that you can use (from a trade association, a state
technical assistance office, etc.). See Appendix F of the Environmental Management Systems: An
Implementation Guide for Small and Medium Sized Organizations for more ideas on possible sources of
help.
Step 9: Involve Employees
Ownership of the EMS will be greatly enhanced by meaningful employee involvement in the EMS
development process. Employees are a great source of knowledge on environmental, and health and
safety issues related to their work areas as well as on the effectiveness of current processes and
procedures. These employees can help the project team in drafting procedures.
Step 10: Monitor and Communicate Progress
As you build the EMS, be sure to regularly monitor your progress against the goals and project plan, and
communicate this progress within the organization. Be sure to communicate the accomplishments that
have been made and describe what happens next. Build on small successes. Be sure to keep top
management informed and engaged, especially if additional resources might be required.
Before beginning the "Do" section, review the key elements of an EMS with worksheets and examples.
See pages 15-77 of Environmental Management Systems: An Implementation Guide for Small and
Medium Sized Organizations.
WHAT DOES IT DO AND WHO IS IT FOR?
ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It maps
out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental
management system.
WHAT DO THE STANDARDS IN THE ISO 14000 FAMILY COVER?
The ISO 14000 family of standards are developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 207 and its various
subcommittees. For a full list of published standards in the series see their standards catalogue.
ISO 14001 provides requirements with guidance for use that relate to environmental systems. Other
standards in the family focus on specific approaches such as audits, communications, labelling and life
cycle analysis, as well as environmental challenges such as climate change.
CAN AN ORGANIZATION BE ISO 14001 CERTIFIED?
There are more than 300,000 certifications to ISO 14001 in 171 countries around the world. Learn more
about the ISO Survey of certifications.
We’ve also created a short document where you can find out more, not only on certification, but a wide
range of benefits of ISO 14001. YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ISO 14001
WHAT DOES IT DO AND WHO IS IT FOR?
ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It maps
out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental
management system.
Designed for any type of organization, regardless of its activity or sector, it can provide assurance to
company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is
being measured and improved.
WHAT DO THE STANDARDS IN THE ISO 14000 FAMILY COVER?
The ISO 14000 family of standards are developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 207 and its various
subcommittees. For a full list of published standards in the series see their standards catalogue.
ISO 14001 provides requirements with guidance for use that relate to environmental systems. Other
standards in the family focus on specific approaches such as audits, communications, labelling and life
cycle analysis, as well as environmental challenges such as climate change.
CAN AN ORGANIZATION BE ISO 14001 CERTIFIED?
There are more than 300,000 certifications to ISO 14001 in 171 countries around the world. Learn more
about the ISO Survey of certifications.
We've also created a short document where you can find out more, not only on certification, but a wide
range of benefits of ISO 14001.
References
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