Environmental Management System

International Standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a policy ad objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specified environmental performance criteria.establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system

1. assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy
2. demonstrate conformity with this international standard by

• making a self-determination and self declaration or
• seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customer or
• seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or
• seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.

All the requirements in this international standard are intended to be incorporated into any environmental management system. The extent of the application depend on factors such as the environmental policy of the organization, the nature of its activities, products and services and the location where and the conditions in which it functions.

Environmental Policy

 

Top management shall define the organization’s environmental policy and ensure that, within the defined scope of its environmental management system. It….

• Is appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of its activities, product and services,
• Include a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution,
• Includes a commitment to comply with applicable legal requirements and with other requirements to which the organization subscribes which relate to its environmental aspects,
• Is documented to all persons working for or on behalf of the organization, and
• Is available to the public

Environmental Aspects

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain a procedures

1. to identify the environmental aspect of its activities, products and services within the defined scope of the environmental management system that it can control and those that it can influence taking into account planned or new developments, or new or modified activities, products and services,
2. to determine those aspects that have or can have significant impacts on the environment (i.e. significant environmental aspects).

The organization shall document this information and keep it up to date.

The organization shall ensure that the significant environmental aspects are taken into account in establishing implementing and maintaining its environmental management system.