Getting ISO 14001 Certified in Nashville, Tennessee (TN)
There are no specific requirements on how to enforce ISO 14001 within a company. Alternatively, an auditor would be searching for recorded proof that you have an appropriate Environmental Management System (EMS) in operation and that it functions in compliance with the standard.
What documents do you need?
ISO 14001 allows you to maintain written documentation that your EMS complies with the correct standard. Although there are specific guidelines as to the form of documents you are expected to have, how you work, and whether you report this evidence is not determined by the standard. The purpose of the report is to ensure that there are rigorous environmental mechanisms in place. Many of these records often seek to show that the organization as a whole is conscious of and committed to its sustainability objectives and can help you reach concrete and achievable environmental targets.
Environmental Management System
Outlining the applicability of the EMS would include defining the kinds of services and products that the company delivers and where they are distributed (i.e. regionally, US, Europe). Setting the boundary would imply that you outline which areas of the company should be subject to the EMS. It covers procedures, locations, branches, divisions, and so on.
For certain situations, the EMS should extend to the company as a whole, however, conditions can exist that it is either unacceptable or unlikely for a procedure, location, or department to come under the boundaries of the EMS.
Key elements of the EMS
Policy
The top management environmental policy provides direction to the EMS. This will provide a dedication to quality development, reduction of waste, and obedience to laws and regulations. This must be enforced, managed, and conveyed throughout the company and to the public.
Planning
The planning stage includes identifying environmental aspects, goals and objectives, environmental management programs (EMPs) as well as legal and other requirements. Aspects are the elements of the services, products, or activities of an organization, that could interact within the environment. The major impacts that have been established and that the business monitors, then lay the groundwork for targets and objectives. Objectives are sen as generalized goals while targets are quantifiable measurements. Both of these apply to EMPs in a wider context. Ultimately, due consideration must be paid to legal and other regulations during the whole preparation phase in order to maintain careful management.
Implementation and operation
This requires a number of subdivided elements including governance and accountability, preparation, knowledge and expertise, communication, monitoring of the environmental protection program, process tracking, activity control, and preparedness and response and preparedness for emergencies. This also looks at the structure and responsibility of how the different management and employment levels relate to each other and what roles exist within the EMS-related company.
Environmental policy
The Environmental Policies will define the goal of the company to act in an environmentally sustainable way, comply with all applicable legislation, avoid waste, and improve continuously.
This is just a short summary of how ISO 14001 can assist your organization to become market leaders. Speak to a consultant today at our ISO Pros in Nashville, Tennessee (TN) branch.