ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
NEED, SCOPE, AND BENEFITS
 1.1.0 Environment
Environment is defined as
‘surroundings in which an
organisation operates including air,
water, land, natural resources, flora,
fauna, humans and their
interrelation’.
 1.1.0 Environment

Surroundings in this context extend

from within individual households to
organisations and then to the entire
global system. Keeping the
environment fit for living is the duty
of every citizen and Organisation,
because a clean environment
enhances the 'quality of life' of all
species on the earth.
 1.1.0 Environment

There is an increasing
awareness by individuals
and organisations to achieve
and demonstrate sound
environmental performance
by controlling the impact of
their activities on the
environment.
 1.2.0 Environmental Degradation
There are many causes that have contributed
for the degradation in the environment. Some
of them are

* Population increase * Air pollution

* Ozone depletion * Water pollution and
* Global warming * Ecosystem disturbance
 1.2.3 Global Warming

The mean temperature on the earth

over the past 140 years has gone up by
about 0.5 degrees Celsius. The green
house gases that contribute to the
global warming are as follows:
 1.2.3 Global Warming
Green House Gas Contribution to Global
Warming

Carbon Dioxide 50%

Methane 18%

CFC’s 14%

Ozone 12%

Nitrous Oxide 6%
 1.2.4 Air Pollution

Air pollution is
caused by several
factors. Some of the
major causes of air
pollution are
 1.2.4 Air Pollution

smog emissions
from
vehicle
exhausts
and
 1.2.4 Air Pollution

release of hydrocarbons from industries.

 1.2.4 Air Pollution

Nitrogen dioxide, Carbon

monoxide, solvents and
complex hydrocarbons cause
air pollution. Many different
concerns manifest themselves
as ‘acid rain’. Acid rain,
particularly caused by sulphur
dioxide causes extensive
damage to ecosystems.
 1.2.4 Air Pollution

Low level ozone generation from the

release of hydrocarbons from
industry and vehicles is a problem,
particularly during summer when
sunlight creates a photochemical
smog. Air pollution is cause for
many disorders like asthma,
bronchitis, eye infections and
headaches.
1.2.5 Water Pollution
 1.2.5 Water Pollution

Water pollution is caused by nitrates from

agricultural operations, discharges from
factories either directly or through water
treatment plants, sewage discharges,
spillage of chemicals, run-off from mining
and quarrying operations and ground water
contamination due to landfill sites.
Classification scheme for river and canal
water is as follows:
 1.2.5 Water Pollution
Class Potential Use

1A-Good Drinking water, high quality fisheries

1B Less high quality, but can be used for

the same purpose as 1A
2-Fair Potable water after treatment. Can be
used for coarse fisheries
3-Poor Polluted. No fish. Low grade industrial
use. Further use if cleaned.
4-Bad Polluted water. Not recommended for
use.
1.4.0 EMS - NEED

Organisations of all kinds are increasingly

concerned to achieve and demonstrate sound
environmental performance by controlling
the impact of their activities, products and
services on the environment taking into
consideration their environmental policy
and objectives. The Environmental
Management System of an Organisation is
expected to meet the following needs:
1.4.0 EMS - NEED

* Meet the regulatory and legislative

requirements.
* Improve the control of the environmental
impact.
* Provide confidence to the customers that
the products and services are
manufactured with the aim of reducing
the negative impact on the environment.
1.4.0 EMS - NEED

* Suitably accommodate changing market

trends and gain competitive edge.
* Reduce the costs associated with
environmental liabilities and Insurance.
* Gain public and media support.
1.5.0 EMS - SCOPE

The Environmental Management System

enables an Organisation to formulate
policy and objectives taking into
consideration legislative requirements
and significant environmental impacts
and specifies the environmental
performance criteria.
1.5.0 EMS - SCOPE

The scope of the Environmental Management

System of an organisation consists of :

* Implement. maintain and improve EMS.

* Conformance to the stated policies and
objectives.
* Demonstrate conformance to the EMS
through certification.
1.5.0 EMS - SCOPE

Environment Management System of an

organisation shall consider the following issues:
* Improvement to the Quality of life
* Benefits to society
* Commitment to the future generations
* Minimisation of environment risk
* Prevention of pollution
* Environment care and continuous improvements
* Save resources
 1.6.0 EMS-BENEFITS

Environmental Management
System benefits the Organisation
and well as the society. Significant
benefits of the EMS are
 1.6.0 EMS-BENEFITS
* Assurance of policy implementation
- Forces organisations to link policy to objectives
and targets
- Policy linked to operations and activities
- Management involvement
- Compliance with the regulatory requirements
- Continuous environmental improvement
- Spot and correct potential problems
 1.6.0 EMS-BENEFITS
* Technology tie-ups
- Multinational companies (MNCs) would like to
provide technology to companies which have
implemented EMS
 1.6.0 EMS-BENEFITS

* Benefits to
 stakeholders
 employees
 customers
 society
 government
 interested parties.
 1.6.0 EMS-BENEFITS
 Reduction in costs
 Reduction in expenditure on raw
materials
 Savings from waste reduction or
elimination
 Decrease in costs of waste disposal
 Reduction of insurance costs and
elimination of penalties
 1.6.0 EMS-BENEFITS

* Improved public perception and

image

CONTENTS
Environmental Management Systems
- Definitions
 Environmental Management Systems
- Definitions

The following definitions are taken from

ISO 14001 (1996) Environmental
Management Systems - Specification with
guidance for use.
2.1.0 Continual Improvement

Process of enhancing the environmental

management system to achieve
improvements in overall environmental
performance in line with the organisation’s
environmental policy.
Note: The process need not take place in all
areas of activity simultaneously..
 2.2.0 Environment

Surroundings in which an
Organisation operates, including air,
water, land, natural resources, flora,
fauna, humans and their interrelation.
Note: Surroundings in this context extend
from within an organisation to the global
system.
 2.3.0 Environmental aspect

Element of an organisation's
activities, products or services that
can interact with the environment.
Note: A significant environmental aspect
is an environmental aspect that has or can
have a significant environmental impact.
 2.4.0 Environment impact

Any change to the environment,

whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or
partially resulting from an
organisation’s activities, products or
services.
2.5.0 Environmental management system

The part of the overall management

system that includes organisational
structure, planning activities,
responsibilities, practices, procedures,
processes and resources for
developing, implementing, achieving,
reviewing and maintaining the
environmental policy.
 2.6.0 EMS - AUDIT
A systematic and documented verification
process of objectively obtaining and
evaluating evidence to determine whether
an Organisation’ s environmental
management system conforms to the
environmental system audit criteria set by
the Organisation and for the
communication of the results of this
process to management.
 2.7.0 EMS - AUDIT CRITERIA

Policies, practices, procedures or

requirements such as those covered by
ISO 14001 and if applicable any additional
EMS requirements against which the
auditor compares collected audit evidence
about the organisation's environmental
management system.
 2.8.0 Environmental objective

Overall environmental goal arising from

the environmental policy that an
organisation sets itself to achieve and
which is quantified where practicable.
2.9.0 Environmental performance

Measurable results of the environmental

management system, related to an
organisation’s control of its environmental
aspects based on its environmental policy,
objectives and targets.
 2.10.0 Environmental policy
Statement by the
organisation of its intentions
and principles in relation to
its overall environmental
performance which provides
a framework for action and
for the setting of its
environmental objectives and
targets.
 2.11.0 Environmental target

Detailed performance
requirement, quantified where
practicable, applicable to the
organisation or parts thereof, that
arises from the environmental
objectives that needs to be set and
met in order to achieve those
objectives.
 2.12.0 Interested party

Individual or group concerned

with or affected by the
environmental performance of
an organisation.
 2.13.0 Organisation

Company, corporation, firm, enterprise,

authority or institution, or part or
combination thereof, whether incorporated or
not, public or private that has its own
functions and administration.
Note: For organisations with more than one
operating unit, a single unit may be defined as an
Organisation.
2.14.0 Prevention of pollution
Use of processes, practices, materials or
products that avoid, reduce or control pollution,
which may include recycling, treatment, process
changes, control mechanisms, efficient use of
resources and material substitution.
Note: The potential benefits of
prevention of pollution include the
reduction of adverse environmental
impacts, improved efficiency and
reduced costs

CONTENTS
Environment Management System
Requirements
The ISO 14001 environmental management
system requirements are listed below:
Requirement
Title of the requirement
No.
4.1 General requirements
4.2 Environmental policy
4.3 Planning
4.3.1 Environmental aspects
4.3.2 Legal and other requirements - maintain
a register
4.3.3 Objectives and targets
4.3.4 Environmental management
programme(s)
The ISO 14001 environmental management
system requirements are listed below:
Requirement
No. Title of the requirement
4.4 Implementation and operation
4.4.1 Structure and responsibility
4.4.2 Training, awareness and competence
4.4.3 Communication.
4.4.4 Environmental management system
documentation.
4.4.5 Document control.
4.4.6 Operational control.
4.4.7 Emergency preparedness and response.
The ISO 14001 environmental management
system requirements are listed below:
Requirement
No. Title of the requirement

4.5 Checking and corrective action

4.5.1 Monitoring and measurement
4.5.2 Nonconformance and corrective and preventive
action
4.5.3 Records.
4.5.4 Environmental management system audit.
4.6 Management review.
4.1 General requirements

* Organisations to establish &

maintain an environmental
management system
 4.2 Environmental policy

* Driving force for the whole EMS

of the organisation and ensures
that the environmental
performance is improved.
* It must be appropriate to the
nature, Scale and environmental
impacts of the Organisation.
* Commitment to continual
improvement and prevention of
pollution.
 4.2 Environmental policy
* Commitment to comply with
relevant legislation and
regulations.
* Provides framework setting
and reviewing of objectives
and targets.
* Is documented, implemented
and communicated to all
employees.
* Is available to public.
4.3 Environmental Planning
 4.3.1 Environmental aspects

* Aspects - Components
of a company’s
activities, products or
services which are
likely to interact with
the environment.
 4.3.1 Environmental aspects

* Impact -any change to the environment

brought about by the aspect.
* Identify the aspect which has an impact
through environmental review.
* Assign a level of
significance to
each identified
environmental aspect.
 4.3.1 Environmental aspects

* Maintain environmental aspects

register.
* Aspects related to significant impacts
are considered in setting the
environmental objectives.
4.3.2 Legal and other requirements

* Applicable to the environmental aspects

of the activities, products and services.
* Maintain a resister of legislation and
regulations.
* Identify applicable legislation and
regulations.
* Access to the legislation and regulations.
4.3.3 Objectives and targets
* Objectives - Goals which an Organisation sets
to achieve. Objectives should be specific.
* Targets - Lower level requirements for
departments arising out of the objectives.
Targets are measurable.
* Establish and maintain documented objectives
and targets at each relevant function and level.
* Objectives and targets shall be consistent with
the environment policy and commitment to
prevention of pollution.
4.3.4 Environmental Management Programme (s)

* EMS programmes
to achieve objectives
and targets.
* EMS programmes
needs to be visible
and planned.
4.3.4 Environmental Management Programme (s)
* Responsibility
for achieving
objectives and
targets defined.
* Means and
time-frame by
which these are
achieved.
4.4 Implementation and operation
1 Structure and responsibility
2. Training, awareness and competence
3. Communication
4. EMS Documentation
5 Document control
6 Operational control
7 Emergency, preparedness and response
 4.4.1 Structure and responsibility

* Roles, responsibilities and authorities defined,

documented and communicated.
* Management shall provide resources - technology,
finance and manpower.
* Management shall appoint Management
representative (s).
* MR responsible for ensuring the EMS requirements
are established, implemented and maintained.
* Reporting on the conformance of the EMS to the
top management.
4.4.2 Training, awareness and competence

* Identify training needs and provide

training for persons whose work has
significant impact on the environment.
4.4.2 Training, awareness and competence
* Awareness towards
- importance of conformance with the environmental
policy, and procedures.
- Significant environmental impacts (actual or potential)
of their work.
- Environmental benefits of improved personnel
performance.
- Roles and responsibilities.
- Emergency preparedness and resource requirements.
- Potential consequences of departures.
4.4.2 Training, awareness and competence

* Competence on the basis of education,

training and/or experience.
 4.4.3 Communication
* Internal communication
between various levels and
functions of the
organisation.
* Receiving, documenting
and responding to relevant
information from external
parties like regulatory
bodies, public and pressure
groups.
4.4.4 Environmental management system documentation

* Environmental manual
* Procedures manual - specific tasks and work
instructions.
* Supporting documentation
- Aspects and effects register
- Environmental review
- Objectives and targets
- Audit results
- Register of regulations
* Documents can be hard copy or electronic form.
4.4.5 Document control
* Document can be easily located.
* Periodically reviewed, revised and approved.
* Available at necessary locations.
* Obsolete documents are removed from use.
* Obsolete documents retained for legal or
knowledge presentation.
* Documents shall be legible, dated, readily
identifiable, maintained and retained for a specific
period.
4.4.6 Operational control
* Identify operations and activities which if
uncontrolled, may lead to significant
environmental impacts.
* Plan these activities including maintenance.
* Operating criteria and work instructions,
absence of which could lead to deviations.
* Controlled by regular checks.
* Communicating relevant procedures and
requirements to suppliers and contractors.
4.4.7 Emergency, preparedness and response

* Identify potential for accidents and

emergency situations.
* Response procedures must be created for
preventing and mitigating the impact.
* Review and revise emergency preparedness
and response procedures.
* Periodically test these procedures where
practicable.
4.5
4.5.1 Monitoring and measurement

* Monitor and measure key characteristics of

the operations and activities.
* Recording information to track relevant
operational controls and conformance with
the objectives and targets.
* Calibrate monitoring equipment and
maintain records of calibration.
* Periodically evaluate compliance with
legislation and regulations.
4.5.2 Non-conformance and corrective and preventive
action
* Handling and investigating non-conformances.
* Taking action to mitigate any impacts.
* Corrective actions to eliminate causes of actual
non-conformances
* Preventive actions to eliminate causes of
potential non-conformances.
* Implement chances to documentation if
necessary.
 4.5.3 Records

* Needed to demonstrate conformance to

the relevant legislation and the EMS.
* Records provide objective evidence that
procedures are followed.
* Identification, maintenance and disposal
of environmental records.
 4.5.4 EMS - Audit
* Periodic environmental management
system audits
* Determine whether system conforms
to planned arrangements,
implemented and maintained
* Provide information on the results of
audit to management review
 4.6 Management review
* Management review
conducted at determined
intervals.
* Assess suitability, adequacy
and effectiveness of the
system.
* Assess current objectives
and targets.
* Review audit results,
changes in legislation and
incidents. CONTENTS
 5.2.1 Levels of Documentation
Level 1 – EMS manual
This is the core of EMS. This sets out in general
terms the system. The contents of EMS manual
are:
 Environmental policy and objectives
 Roles and responsibilities of key personnel
 Reference to procedures
 Description of interaction of various systems
in EMS
 Direction for implementation of the system.
5.2.2 Levels of Documentation
Level 2 – Procedures

These go into more detail for particular areas of the

manual and specify what the organisation must do. A
procedure could typically cover areas such as waste
management, nature protection, energy auditing and
defining significance of environmental impacts. As a
minimum, the organisation shall establish and
maintain procedures for the following.
5.2.2 Levels of Documentation
Level 2 –
 Identification of environmental aspects and
impacts
 Identification of legal and regulatory
requirements
 Objectives and targets
 Environmental management programme
 Training and awareness
 Internal and External communication
 Document control
 Operational control
 Emergency preparedness and response
 Monitoring and measurement
5.2.2 Levels of Documentation
Level 2 –
 Non-conformance
 Corrective and preventive action
 Records
 Environmental Management Audit
 Management review
 Pertinent contractor or supplier information
 Incident reports
 Information on emergency preparedness and
response
 Audit reports
 Management reviews.
5.2.3 Levels of Documentation
Level 3 – Working instructions and general documents

There are sets of specific

instructions or standard operating SOPS
procedures (SOPS) which relate
to particular operations. For
example, an SOP could tell an
employee how to calibrate a
specific instrument and how to
measure for a particular
pollutant.
5.2.3 Levels of Documentation
Level 3 –
The general documents pertain to those, needed
to be maintained specific to each industry’s
needs. These are

 Legal and regulatory requirements

 Industry codes of practice
 Agreements with public authorities
 Non-regulatory guidelines.
5.2.4 Levels of Documentation

Level 4 – Records

These are needed for demonstration of

implementation of EMS and to what extent
planned objectives and targets have been met.
The records include:
5.2.4 Levels of Documentation
Level 4 –
 Environmental aspects record
 Information on applicable environmental
laws or other requirements
 Complaint record
 Training record
 Process Information
 Product Information
 Calibration records
 Obsolete documents retained for legal or
knowledge preservation
 Documents retention period to be specified.
5.2.4 Levels of Documentation
Level 4 –
Traditionally documentation has been in paper based
formats. There is however facility of computer for on
line documentation. If the documentation is on a
server, then users will read one source document in
which case only document can be maintained. The
growing pace of Internet, Internet and work group
computing means that it is very easy for large
organisations to distribute documentation very quickly
and effectively.
5.2.4 Levels of Documentation
Level 4 –
Computers however are not
always appropriate, so there
will be a need for hard copies.
For example, in a factory, uses
often require work instructions
or SOPs so that these are best
produced in rugged format
such as laminated quick
reference cards.
 5.3.0 Document control

Documents listed above need to be brought

under document control. In simple words,
controlled documentation means managed
documentation. Controlled means two
things. First, people who need it have access
to it, second, they will have the most current
revisions of any piece of documentation. To
fulfil these requirements, Document control
involves the following activities:
 5.3.0 Document control
 Unique identification of documents
 Authorisation for preparation,
review and approval
 Documents to be legible, dated and
readily identifiable
 Document issue control
 Document to be available at
necessary locations
 Documents to be received from place
of use.
CONTENTS