Archive for the ISO14001 Category

Environmental Management, Frequently Asked Questions

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Environmental Management

On an almost daily basis, we receive some very good questions, from individuals that are considering whether they require an environmental management system and want more information to help make this decision. We’ve complied a few of these that we hope you will find helpful:

1.What is an environmental management system?

The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment  (IEMA) define it as:

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a structured framework for managing an organisation’s significant environmental impacts.

In a world where environmental legislation continues to increase at a rapid pace and is becoming costly to some businesses, an EMS helps them achieve compliance and turn what could otherwise be seen as a burden into an advantage.

An environmental management systems can be certified to a standard, such as BS8555, the Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the one we prefer to use for clients at E Advantage, (generally because of its international recognition)  ISO 14001. All of the accreditations have many similarities in their approach. You can effectively run a environmental management system in its infancy without such an accreditation – but having one does add more weight to your efforts and helps the benefits to be fully realised.

2.   If environmental regulation is costing me, why  spend more money implementing an environmental management system?

It’s all about the return on investment that is possible through having a robust environmental management system in place. This comes from several sources:

Reduced liability costs: Environmental legislation is primarily designed to make the polluter pay. Keeping within the regulation using an EMS reduces the potential for fines, prosecution and other exposure.

Employee Engagement: Several studies have shown that employees who understand the organisations approach to reducing its environmental impacts are generally more committed. Financially this can mean a more productive workforce and less costs associated with staff churn.

Cost reductions: Reducing energy, waste, water and raw materials can reduce operational costs hugely. We’ve saved clients over 20% of their utilities bills for example – so the one off investment in building the system will pay back for many years.

Marketing benefits: Win and retain business. Being able to respond to requests for information and demonstrate environmental responsibility to customers and other stakeholders could be worth a significant amount to your business.

3.  What’s involved in developing a successful environmental management system?

It can be a complicated process but keeping to the basics, the important areas include:

  • Initial site and operational review
  • Developing and environmental policy and register of all environmental legislation relevant to the business
  • Identification of areas the organisation interacts with, effects or is effected by the environment – the ‘aspects’ and impacts’
  • Prioritising the most significant aspects
  • Setting targets, objectives and planning the implementation of these, to address the significant aspects and reduce negative impacts on the environment
  • Project management, generating awareness, altering ways or working and often a degree of culture change
  • Monitoring progress, reporting management information and planning for improvements
  • Audits and certification
  • The cycle continues on a plan-do-check-act basis

 

If this has sparked your interest, you have questions you would like answered or want to discuss your environmental management system requirements call us today on 01280 812 909.

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