What is ISO 14001 : 2015
As the company seeks to implement ISO 14001: 2015, it has a commitment to continually improve its environmental performance. However, one thing needs to be kept in mind that ISO 14001: 2015 is a standard that combines and balances business interests with the environment. Thus, the performance improvement efforts undertaken by the company will be adjusted to the company’s resources, whether it is human resources, technical, or financial.
ISO 14001 is a voluntary environmental standard. This standard may be used by organizations / companies that wish to:
- Implement, maintain and improve its environmental management system
- To prove to others the suitability of their environmental management system to the standards
- Obtain certificate
Some of the benefits of ISO implementation are:
- Improve the image of the organization
- Improve the performance of the organization’s environment
- Improve the arrangement of the provisions of environmental management legislation
- Reduce business risk
- Improve the efficiency of activities
- Improve competitiveness
- Improve internal communication and good relationships with various stakeholders
- Improve organizational management by implying planning, implementation, measurement and corrective actions (plan, do, check, art)
ISO 14001 is developed from the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) that is principled on the activities of PDCA (Plan – Do – Check – Action), so that the main elements of EMS will follow this principle of PDCA, developed into six basic principles of EMS:
1. Environmental Policy
Environmental policies should be documented and communicated to all employees and made available to the community, and include a commitment to continuous improvement, pollution prevention, and compliance with the rules and a framework for goal setting and objectives.
2. Planning
Includes the identification of environmental aspects of the organization’s activities, identification and access to regulatory requirements, the existence of objectives and targets that are documented and consistent with the policy, and the existence of programs to achieve the planned objectives and targets (including who is responsible and the time frame)
3. Implementation and Operation
Includes definitions, documentation and communication of roles and responsibilities, adequate training, internal and external communications, written documentation of the environmental management system and good document control procedures, documented operating control procedures and documented procedures for emergency action.
4. Examination and Corrective Action
Includes procedures that regularly monitor and measure key characteristics of activities and operations, procedures for handling nonconformity situations, specific record keeping procedures and audit procedures of environmental management system performance
5. Management Review
Review periodically the overall environmental management system to ensure the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the environmental management system for the changes that occur.