What is an Environmental Management System?
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An Environmental Management System, often called an EMS, is comprised of the policies, processes, plans, practices and records that define the rules governing how your company interacts with the environment.
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This system needs to be tailored to your particular company, because only your company will have the exact legal requirements and environmental interactions that match your specific business processes.
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However, the ISO 14001 requirements provide a framework and guidelines for creating your Environmental Management System so that you do not miss important elements needed for an EMS to be successful.
Why ISO 14001 is important?
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Taking care of our environment, and preventing our companies from causing negative impacts on the environment, are two of the most important challenges facing businesses today.
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Commitment to society – corporate social responsibility, sustainability
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One of the biggest benefits of implementing an EMS is the recognition that comes with being among those businesses that care enough to reduce their environmental footprint.
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This can bring better relationships with customers, the public, and the community at large for your company, but it also brings other benefits.
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Good public image
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Many companies can save money through the implementation of EMS by reducing incidents, liability costs, obtain insurance at reasonable cost, and conserving materials and energy
Aim of an Environmental Management System?
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Protecting the environment by preventing or mitigating adverse environmental impacts;
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Mitigating the potential adverse effect of environmental conditions on the organization;
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Assisting the organization in the fulfilment of compliance obligations;
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Enhancing environmental performance;
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Controlling or influencing the way the organization’s products and services are designed, manufactured, distributed, consumed and disposed by using a life cycle perspective that can prevent environmental impacts from being unintentionally shifted elsewhere within the life cycle;
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Achieving financial and operational benefits that can result from implementing environmentally sound alternatives that strengthen the organization’s market position;
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Communicating environmental information to relevant interested parties.
Why a company needs to follow ISO Standards?
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1. ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
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2. ISO standards are highly reliable, developed by international subject matter experts and deliver proven methodologies.
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3. ISO standards offer structured approach/clear road map for establishing and implementation of QHSE management system
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4. ISO standards offer sustained suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of management system to the company
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5. Offer international benchmarking and comparison with other companies within and outside Kuwait to become industry leader
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6. Provides opportunity integrated implementation of related standards thereby optimizing resources and easier implementation
History of ISO 14001
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Refer to the below mentioned journey of the ISO 14001:2015 Standard.
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This International Standard employs the Process Approach, which incorporates the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle and Risk-Based Thinking
Key Improvement in ISO 14001:2015
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A greater commitment from leadership
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An increased alignment with strategic direction
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Greater protection for the environment, with a focus on proactive initiatives
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More effective communication, driven through a communications strategy
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Adopting Life-cycle thinking, considering each stage of a product or service, from development to end-of-life
