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EMS for Cities and Local Authorities
The first ISO 14000 international standards for environmental
management systems (EMS) were released in the fall of 1996 by the International
Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) to provide organizations around the world
with a common framework and guidance for environmental management. By standardizing
the approach to environmental management, the ISO 14000 standards are intended
to increase confidence amongst stakeholders that organizations have an effective
EMS that will improve their environmental performance.
The cornerstone standard in the series, ISO 14001, "Environmental management
systems - Specification with guidance for use" specifies the requirements
for an effective EMS and requires organizations to establish and maintain an EMS
consisting of:
* an environmental policy
* identification of the environmental aspects of its operations and legal requirements
* environmental objectives and targets
* management programs to meet these objectives and targets
* internal and external communications systems
* regular audits and reports to management
* management review and follow-up on the audit findings, and review to ensure
continuous improvement.
This is illustrated in Figure 1. ISO 14001 is an "auditable" standard
consisting of those EMS requirements that can be audited objectively. Organizations
meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 may seek registration or "self-declare"
their compliance to the standard.
Figure 1: Principal Components of an Environmental
Management System
The ISO 14001 standards essentially enable any
organization to establish, assess and maintain the effectiveness of their EMS.
While ISO 14001 does not guarantee immediate improved environmental performance,
it does require a commitment to prevention of pollution, legal compliance and
continuous improvement. By assisting organizations in achieving and demonstrating
effective environmental management, ISO 14001 provides a number of other important
benefits, such as:
* reduced environmental liabilities and risks
* enhanced reputation and public image
* satisfaction of investor criteria
* increased access to markets
* improved insurance rates
* increased environmental efficiency in terms of energy and natural resource use
and waste generation, leading to reduced environmental costs
* strengthened government and public relations.
Around the world, governments are recognizing ISO 14001 as an important component
of "due diligence", adopting the standards and promoting their adoption
by industry. Companies are certifying to the standard to stay competitive in the
global marketplace. As a result, by the end of 1999, over 11,000 organizations
have achieved certification to ISO 14001.
In summary, the ISO 14000 standards provide organizations with an approach to
managing their corporate environmental programs, as well as an internationally-recognized
framework for assessing, evaluating and auditing these programs. It is anticipated
that ISO 14001. ISO 14001 registration will be a practical necessity for organizations
in a global economy and the standard by which environmental stewardship will be
judged.
Implementing an EMS that meets all of the requirements of ISO 14001 can be time-consuming
and costly. In order to accomplish their goals for implementing ISO 14001 efficiently,
accurately and effectively, organizations need tools to assist them. In response
to this challenge, IETC is developing develop software tools and related training
and supporting materials for use by municipalities and local authorities in developing
an EMS and improving compliance with ISO 14001. The proposed software tool, based
on an existing platform designed for and successfully used by the private sector,
will have three components:
* Assessment
* Implementation
* Audit.
It will allow municipalities and local authorities
to organize and produce their EMS performance information and documentation in
a standardized, cohesive manner. The software will provide users with maximum
flexibility in implementing their EMS strategies, allowing them to meet their
specific organizational reporting needs without requiring programming expertise.
Using the software will involve a three step process:
* A clause-by clause assessment and analysis of
the ISO 14001 EMS requirements.
* Implementation of an EMS that meets all of the ISO 14001 requirements.
* Auditing the EMS, either internally or using third party auditors.
This is illustrated below in Figure 2.
Figure 2: EMS Implementation Methodology
Step
1: Assess
Assess the organization’s EMS and compliance with ISO 14001
requirements.
OUTCOMES:
- A gap analysis report
- An action plan, including costs and persons responsible. |
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Step
2: Implement
Identify significant aspects, including: objectives and targets,
legal requirements, environmental programs, training,
monitoring, nonconformance and corrective actions.
OUTCOMES:
- An implementation plan, schedule and status reports |
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Step 3: Audit
An audit risk assessment methodology andep audit protocols are applied, allowing
auditors to evaluate and test EMS controls in order to reach audit conclusions
and findings for each ISO 14001 requirement.
OUTCOMES:
- Audit reports |
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