REQUIREMENTS OF ISO 14001

imperatives adjunctly ISO 14001adhere an acquiescent attendantly the standard’s demands. A artful check attendantly the acceptedaccount Quality Management movement, as follows


PLAN4.2 Policy4.3 PlanningDO4.4 Implementation and OperationCHECK4.5 Checking and Corrective ActionIMPROVE4.6 Management ReviewWithin these five elements are 17 sub-elements stating the various requirements?4.2 Policy4.3 Planning4.3.1 Environmental Aspects4.3.2 Legal and Other Requirements4.3.3 Objectives and Targets4.4.4 Environmental Management Programs4.4 Implementation and Operation4.4.1 Structure and Responsibility4.4.2 Training Awareness and Competence4.4.3 Communications4.4.4 EMS Documentation4.4.5 Document Control4.4.6 Operation Control4.4.7 Emergency Planning and Response4.5 Checking and Corrective Action4.5.1 Monitoring and Measurement4.5.2 Nonconformance, Corrective, and Preventive Action4.5.3 Records4.5.4 EMS Audit4.6 Management ReviewWithin these 17 sub-elements are all of the requirements, or “shells”, necessary toConform to ISO 14001. Recognizing the requirements. As a matter of fact, no auditor should embark on an auditbelow we briefly summarize the key points of the sub-elements. during an audit.Detailed Section by Section Summary4.2 PolicyISO 14001 requires that the organization have a policy statement to drive the EMS.There is no expectation that specific details be noted in the policy. prevention of pollution”. The policy must be clearly endorsed by top management andbe available to the public and employees. awareness is more proactive. Section 4.2 of ISO 14001 lists the other requirements of thepolicy.4.3.1 Environmental AspectsThis element requires a procedure that not only identifies the aspects and impacts, butISO 14001 does not prescribe what aspects should be significant, or even how todetermine significance. However, it is expected the organization will develop a4.3.2 Legal and Other RequirementsThis is a requirement for a procedure that explains how the organization obtainsinformation regarding its legal and other requirements, and makes that informationknown to key functions. This is not the assessment or compliance audit requirement, butrather a more up front determination of requirements.4.3.3 Objectives and TargetsThere is no requirement for a procedure in this element, only that objectives and targetsbe documented. Objectives, such as legal requirements and prevention of pollution. easiest to develop a procedure anyway for this element to be able to verify these4.3.4 Environmental Management Programs (EMP)EMPs are the detailed plans and programs explaining how the objectives and targets willbe accomplished. These EMPs usually note responsible personnel, milestones and dates,and measurements of success. Noting monitoring and measurement parameters directlyin the EMP facilitates conforming to 4.5.1 on Monitoring and Measurement discussed4.4.1 Structure and ResponsibilityISO 14001 requires that the relevant management and accountability structure be definedin this element. organization must denote the Management Representative who is responsible to overseethe EMS and report to management on its operation.4.4.2 Training Awareness and CompetenceThe key point in this element is that personnel must receive applicable training regardingthe EMS. Specific requirements are itemized in ISO 14001, and include general,company-wide items such as knowing the policy, to more function-specific training onaspects and emergency response. An organization usually responds to this element with atraining matrix, cross-referencing to training materials and records.4.4.3 CommunicationsProcedures are required for both internal and external communications. Note that ISOdegree of openness and disclosure of information. Whatever the decision in terms ofdisclosure, that decision process must be recorded.4.4.4 EMS DocumentationThis requirement is simply that the organization has documented the system in eitherelectronic or paper form such that it addresses the elements of the standard and providesdirection to related documentation. Not all ISO 14001-required procedures need to bedocumented, as long as the system requirements can be verified.4.4.5 Document Control.Procedures are required to control documents, such as system procedures and workinstructions, and to ensure that current versions are distributed and obsolete versions areremoved from the system.4.4.6 Operational ControlThis element is the one which connects the EMS with the organization as a whole. the critical functions related to significant aspects and objectives and targets are identifiedand procedures and work instructions created to ensure proper execution of activities.Requirements for communicating applicable system requirements to contractors are alsoaddressed.4.4.7 Emergency Planning and ResponseAlthough typically addressed through conventional emergency response plans, thiselement also requires that a process exist for identifying the potential emergencies, inaddition to planning and mitigating them. impacts are assessed, is appropriate. 4.5.1 Monitoring and MeasurementProcedures are required describing how the organization will monitor and measure keyparameters of operations. These parameters relate to the significant aspects, objectivesand targets and legal and regulatory compliance. In order to properly manage the system,Responses tothis element usually cross reference to many other specific procedures and workinstructions describing measurement and equipment calibration. 4.5.2 Nonconformance, Corrective, and Preventive ActionThis element requires procedures for acting on nonconformances identified in the system,including corrective and preventive action. audits, monitoring and measurement, and communications. system flaws. Typically, Corrective Action Report (CAR) forms are the norm, noting thenonconformance, the suggested fix, and closure of the action when completed. Note thatthis requirement does not imply in any way that the party identifying the nonconformance4.5.3 RecordsRecords are expected to exist to serve as verification of the system operating. Forexample, records include audit reports and training records. Unlike controlleddocuments, records are “once and done” documents, resulting from the execution of someprocess or procedure. Procedures in this element are required for the maintenance ofrecords.4.5.4 EMS AuditsISO 14001 requires that the system provide for internal audits. This procedures(s) willinclude methodologies, schedules, and processes to conduct the audits. Interestingly, theEMS audit will in essence, audit the audit process itself!4.6 Management ReviewThis element requires that periodically, top management will review the EMS to ensure itis operating as planned. If not, resources must be provided for corrective action. Forprovide for improvement programs. element, although records of agendas, attendance, and agreed upon action items aremaintained as verification