Environmental Management Systems W2L1 Flashcards
What is the Operational Structure of an EMS?
Report-> Review-> Policy -> Programme-> Audit->
In circle!!
The reality of how an EMS works in practice
continual improvement
Why would you do a review before writing policy during an EMS?
Similar to a baseline in EIA, you do the review first to identify the existing practices/procedures/processes (everything an organisation does). This acts as guide for policy writing.
After writing the policy what would then need to be done to ensure it goes ahead and is put into the programme?
Top level management sign off, put their name to it to ensure total commitment of entire organisation
What does the programme include?
Specific targets and what the organisation will do e.g. reduce energy use by 20%
What does the audit do?
Check progress of the programme
What is the report stage for?
Informing senior management if targets are met or not and why. Acts as basis to next review where either new targets are met or investigation on why previous targets weren’t. EMS is constant cycle and never complete.
Why use standards for EMS?
Provides common instructions that any organisation can work towards, but does not provide specific targets as every company is different.
What size organisation is the BS8555 format suited to?
Smaller organisations, a good starting point as you can get instant notification (bronze award e.g.) and can translate action to customers as ISO14001 can take a few years
What is the ISO14001?
International Standards Organisation
• Developed to meet the demand for an EMS that will be consistent for all forms of organisations.
• The ISO 14000 set of standards and guidelines defines the core Environmental Management System itself, and the auditing procedures necessary for verification.
What kind of organisations is ISO14001 applicable to?
Provides core requirements for all sizes and locations.
What is an Initial Environmental Review/Environmental Review?
Operational description:
“shall mean an initial comprehensive analysis of the environmental issues, impact and performance related to activities at a site”
Define Aspects (with citation).
Aspect “elements of an organisation’s activities, products or services that can interact with the environment” (ISO 14001, 3.6)
What is the definition of an EMS?
A structured management approach to controlling environmental risks and improving environmental performance
Whats the difference between a direct and indirect aspect?
Direct: aspects and organisation can control
Indirect: aspects which an organisation can be expected to have influence
Define Impacts (with citation).
any change to the environment, adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisations environmental aspects (ISO14001 3.7)
