Environmental Management Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is the market structure for environmental reporting standards?

A

Standards published by international organisations to ensue standardisation
ISO–> CEN, ARSO, COPANT, PASC

National organisations and accreditation bodies
UKAS, DIN, AFNOR, SABS, ANSI, SAC

Adopted by continental certification bodies for profit and non profit organisations (clients)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How are international standards set and adopted?

A

Consultation process that lasts several years.

Continental committees (NGOs) review and promote these standards to national accreditation committees

National accreditation committees are responsible for implementing them at a national level and grant the right to certification at the private sector

Organisations invite consultants to develop management systems in line with the standards.

Someone from certification body undertakes external audit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the main characteristics of standards?

A
  • Applicable to every organisation
  • Voluntary
  • Continuous improvement
  • Address stakeholder concerns
  • International in scope
  • Require conformance with relevant laws (complement laws)
  • Certified by third parties
  • Require design, development and implementation of management system
  • Allocation of a person or team to be responsible for monitoring the system
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is continuous improvement in terms of plan-do-check-act?

A

1) Plan - identify aspects to be addressed and resources needed to address them
2) Do: develop management system in line with standards
3) Check: identify potential problems
4) Act: Undertake corrective measures and preventative measures to prevent problems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the three standards of environmental management?

A

ISO 14001 - 300,000+ orgs certified, environmental management

ISO 50001 - 18,000+ orgs certified, energy management

EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) 3500+ registered orgs
- Meets the requirements of GRI and asks for info in relation to performance whereas ISO doesn’t

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the difference between environmental management standards and environmental management systems?

A

Systems focus on process, don’t directly require improvement but imply that there will be improvement if orgs adopt standards

Firms uses systems as signals of product quality but they are not product standards

Implementation subject to regular audits by external auditors

No clear product criteria because they want process performance not product performance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is an environmental management system?

A

A structured framework of practices and procedures that enables an organisation to execute its operation sin a consistent and sustained manner

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the components of EMS?

A

1) Policy (formal statement of values and commitments)
2) Planning
3) Implementation and operation
4) Monitoring, checking and corrective action
5) Management review

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a policy statement as the first component of the EMS?

A

Initial PR document, highlights priorities and impacts, stakeholders they perceive to be important

Outline strategic values - the foundation on which the EMS will be build

Internally and externally available

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is planning as the second component of the EMS?

A

Critical - should be holistic and practice

1) Identify the elements of the organisation’s activities and products that intersect with company policy: which are most important and which can be controlled
2) Establish a process to identify legal requirements to maintain compliance
3) Set objectives to help the company achieve and continue to improve upon the management system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How should goals be established to facilitate continual improvement in terms of setting objectives?

A
  • Identify the objective and respective target
  • Define the means to achieve the goal
  • Provide a time frame
  • Designate the person responsible to execute or oversee execution
  • Periodically check progress
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is implementation as the third component of the EMS?

A

Identify the requirements necessary to execute against the policy and plans:

  • Defined roles and responsibilities
  • Two types of procedures: management and environmental
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are some examples of the EMS ISO14001 management procedures?

A

Management procedures (documents/record/planning)

Resource management procedures (training, maintenance)

Procurement management (supplier evaluation, delivery of supplies)

Communication with customers procedures (contracts, order management, customer satisfaction)

Design and development procedures

Products and service realisation procedures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are some examples of EMS ISO14001 environmental procedures?

A

Environmental communication - communication mechanisms

Emergency preparedness and response - risk management, contingency planning

Environmental Impact Assessment - specific methodology for evaluating impacts stemming from operations

Waste management - demands a description of waste disposal from firm activities

Air pollution management - monitoring and controlling of air pollution

Noise control - way to measure and control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is checking as the fourth component of the EMS?

A

Establish a process to monitor performance, legal compliance and the execution of management system requirements

Examine

  • Employee awareness
  • Goals and target progress
  • Compliance
  • Procedures, processes and related documents
  • Records to demonstrate compliance
  • Audit results
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is reviewing as the third component of the EMS?

A

Periodic review with top management, should include:

  • Status of objectives and targets
  • Status of compliance with legal requirements
  • Identification of any changes to business operations
  • Discussion regarding opportunities for improvement
17
Q

What are the keys to success for an EMS?

A
  • Top management support
  • Recognition of dynamic management system
  • Robust management system to address company values enough to accommodate change
18
Q

What are the pitfalls and challenges of the EMS?

A
  • Perception that it is extra work
  • Over documentation
  • Commercial relationships between consultants, client firms and auditors
19
Q

What are the benefits of implementing an EMS?

A
  • Increase revenues through reduced costs
  • Strengthen market position
  • Raise barriers for competitors
  • Open new markets
  • Foster better relationships
  • Better control of environmental liabilities
  • Business excellence
20
Q

How do companies implement these tools?

A
  • Symbolic vs substantive adoption
  • Due to free riding increase in the numbers of in house adoption
  • Sector plays a role in the way firms will implement sustainability tools, size less impact
  • Regulatory environment plays a major role
21
Q

What are the concerns according to Iatridis and Kesidou (2016)?

A

Reliability concerns of ISO 14001 as a governance tool of corporate environmental performance

Not all firms implement in a substantive manner, contingent on external pressures and internal motivations