ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an Environmental Management System. It can be applied to companies in all industries and all sizes, however, it is most suited to companies which have activities which could negatively affect the Environment if the correct controls are not in place.
Having accredited certification to ISO 14001 shows others that your organisation has put in measures to reduce your environmental impact and to manage your environmental responsibilities, this can vary from implementing energy efficient lighting in offices to changing the production process for a product to use more environmentally friendly materials.
Along with ISO 9001:2015 (Quality) and ISO 45001:2018 (Health & Safety) there has been a focus towards an integrated management system between all three standards This means that when you are implementing ISO 14001 you are following similar approaches that an organisation implementing ISO 9001 would take. This simplifies the process of integrating new management system standards into your organisation.
In this case the similarities in each standard and the main requirements of 14001 require you to implement the following with a focus on environmental awareness in you organisation.
- Management Review: Top management need to ensure that they have carried out regular management reviews, covering all requirements of clause 9.3. A management review will allow top management to review the effectiveness of the Quality management system and the actions that have been taken over the year.
- Internal audit: You are required to complete a full audit of the system, going clause by clause and also carrying out audits of the processes that you have determined with a focus on environmental management i.e waste management, treatment of industrial effluent.
- Risk and opportunities assessment: Risks and opportunities must be identified and managed through a proportionate planning of actions.
- Objectives: Objectives are integral to the improvement and maintenance of the management system. Clear objectives are key to improving the management system and the organisation. One way to defining objectives is through the SMART approach – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound.
A good link for information on ISO 14001 and its implementation can be found on the link below:
https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental-management.html
If you are interested in obtaining accredited certification to ISO 14001:2015 you can completed our online application in the below link:
https://www.eqa.ie/request-a-quotation/management-system-certification/
If you have any questions you can contact us at info@eqa.ie or by calling our number on 01-4734188