Regulatory developmentsSince the early 1970s regulations on environmental topics have increased substantially. Audits can help reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises. In this way they performs similar function to financial audits.Factors that lead to the development of environmental auditIndustrial accidentsRegulatory developmentsPublic awarenesslitigationIndustrial accidentsMajor incidents such as the Bhopal, Chernobyl andExxon-Valdezdisasters have reminded companies that it is not sufficient to set corporate policies and standards on environmental health and safety matters without ensuring that they are being implemented. The cycle repeats, and continuous improvement occurs.ĬonclusionAn environmental management system takes time and commitment from the entire organization.Įffective running of an EMS will provide ongoing environmental benefits, cost savings and contribute to building an attractive work place culture.ĮNVIRONMENTAL AUDITINTRODUCTIONEnvironmental audit is a general term that can reflect various types or evaluations intended to identify environmental compliance and management system implementation gaps, along with related corrective actions. The company then implements the revised plan. Management revisits the environmental policy and sets new targets in a revised plan. The results of this evaluation are then reviewed by top management to see if the EMS is working. If targets are not being met, corrective action is taken. After that, the company evaluates its environmental performance to see whether the objectives and targets are being met. The company first commits to an environmental policy, then uses its policy as a basis for establishing a plan, which sets objectives and targets for improving environmental performance. The system follows a repeating cycle (continuous improvement cycle).
#Faqt environmental company iso#
Established in 1996, this framework is the official international standard for an EMS.ĮMS UNDER ISO 14001An EMS encourages a company to continuously improve its environmental performance. Reviewing progress of the EMS and making improvementsĬOSTS AND BENEFITS OF AN EMSPotential CostsPotential BenefitsInternalStaff (manager) timeOther employee time(Note: Internal labor costs represent the bulk of the EMS resources expended by most organizations)ExternalPotential consulting assistanceOutside training of personnelImproved environmental performanceEnhanced compliancePollution preventionResource conservationNew customers/marketsIncreased efficiency/reduced costsEnhanced employee moraleEnhanced image with public, regulators, lenders, investorsEmployee awareness of environmental issues and responsibilitiesISO 14001The most commonly used framework for an EMS is the one developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the ISO 14001 standard. Monitoring and measuring progress in achieving the objectivesĮnsuring employees' environmental awareness and competence
Setting environmental objectives and targets to reduce environmental impacts and comply with legal requirementsĮstablishing programs to meet these objectives and targets The EMS itself does not dictate a level of environmental performance that must be achieved each company's EMS is tailored to the company's business and goals.īASIC ELEMENTS OF AN EMS ?Reviewing the company's environmental goalsĪnalyzing its environmental impacts and legal requirements The assumption is that this increased control will improve the environmental performance of the company. WHAT IS EMS ?An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework that helps a company achieve its environmental goals through consistent control of its operations. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITĮNVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITPRESENTED BY,ANAND VISHNU B NAIRS3 MBA GIMSINTRODUCTIONAn Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency.