ISO14001, EMAS And Environmental Diploma Flashcards
What can you say about ISO14001?
This is an international standard that applies to all organizations regardless of its size or nature . It also applies to all the environmental aspects of its activities , services and products.
What are the intended outcomes of an EMS ?
- To enhance environmental performance.
- To fulfil compliance obligations
- To achieve environmental objectives.
How many chapters does ISO14001 standard have ?
It has 10 chapters
Describe chapters 1 - 3
Chapter 1: scope ( the intended outcomes of an EMS, what the standard is about ( applies to all kinds of organizations and all the environmental aspects related to their activities, products and services).
Chapter 2: normative references (usually empty)
Chapter 3 : definition of terms
Describe chapter 4 of the ISO14001 .
4.1: understanding the context of the organization( determine external and internal issues)
4.2: understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties ( determine interested parties relevant to the EmS, identify the relevant needs and expectations of these interested parties, identify which of these become compliance obligations.)documented!
4.3. Determining scope of the EMS ( determine boundaries and applicability to org, must take into consideration compliance obligations and organizations context) documented!
The first three steps are done in the environmental review.
4.4 implementing and establishing EMS.
Describe chapter 5 of ISO14001.
5.1: leadership and commitment. This is demonstrated by :
1. Accepting accountability for the effectiveness of the EMS .
2. Ensuring that the EMS policy and objectives are established and match the context of the organization.
3. Ensuring the integration of the EMS requirements in business processes.
4. Promoting continual improvement.
5. Ensuring that resources need for the EMS are available
6. Ensuring EMS achieves its intended outcomes.
Describe chapter 5.2 and 5.3
5.2 Writing of the Environmental policy.
5.3 organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities ( Top management are responsible ensuring that for assigned responsibilities and authorities are assigned and communicated within the organization.
What kind of responsibility or authority is usually talked about in 5.3?
Top management shall assign responsibility and authority for :
1. Ensuring that EMS conforms with international standard.
2. Reporting on the performance of EMS as well as Env. Performance to top management.
Describe chapter 6.
Chapter 6 is planning
6.1 addressing risks associated with risks and opportunities
6.1.1 general ( organization is responsible for establishing,implementing,and maintaining processes to adderess issues raised in 6.1.1 - 6.1.4.
Organization must take into consideration 4.1, 4.2 scope , give assurances that it can achieve its intended outcome
Describe the rest of chapter 6
6.1.2: environmental aspects (documented)
6.1.3: compliance obligations ( documented)
6.1.4: planning actions ( no document needed)
Planning action can be divided into two parts name them
A) Organization shall plan to take actions to address significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations & risk and opportunities
B) how to integrate and implement these actions into the EMS process. The organization must also evaluate how effective these actions are.
When doing this the org must consider its technological options, financial,operational and business requirements
Describe 6.2
6.2 environmental objectives and planning to achieve them
6.2.1 :environmental objectives ( consider significant aspects, compliance obligations, risk and opportunities)
The objectives should be measurable, should align with env. Policy , monitored and updated as appropriate.
Describe 6.2.2
Planning actions to achieve objectives .
What to consider :
What will be done , when will it be completed, resources neede to complete it, who is responsible for it , how the results will. E evaluated and key indicators
Describe chapter 7 (support )
7.1 resources
7.2 ensuring competence (ensure that staff directly involved in the env aspects have the right competence and skills through education, training and experience needed to ensure the intended outcomes are achieved . Identify training needs , address the, and evaluate effectiveness
Must be documented!!
Describe 7.3
7.3 is about awareness: here mgt must ensure the every employee under their organization is informed of the env. Policy , significant aspects, their role in the EMS effectiveness, the consequences of not complying with EMS regulations
Describe 7.4
The are two main forms of communication internal and external communication.
7.4.1 general communication , here the organization implements , establishes and maintains processes needed to address external and internal communication related to the EMS including : what to say, who to say it to , when to say it and how to say it.
This is documented.
Describe 7.4.2 and 7.4.3
Internal communication: the organization must ensure that it internally communicates all information relevant to the EMS to all employees across various levels and functions including changes to EMS as appropriate.
They must also ensure efficient communication to contribute to continual improvement.
7.4.3 external communication: the organization must ensure t shall externally communicate all information relevant to it EMS according to the communication process and as required by compliance obligations
Describe 7.5 ( documented information)
7.5.1 general : the organization must ensure that the EMS contains documented information that is mandated by the international standard and additional documentation that ensure its effectiveness.
The extent of documented information for an EMS differs from company to company due to:
- Size and org activities , products and services.
- Need to demonstrate fulfillment of its compliance obligations.
- The complexities of processes and interactions .
- The competence of personnel working under the organization
Describe 7.5.2
Creating and updating documented information .
The organization must ensure that :
1. There is proper identification and description ( title, date , author or reference number)
2. Formatb( language, software ) and media( paper ,electronic)
3. Review and approval for suitability and adequacy
Describe 7.5.3 control of documented information
The organization dhal control documented information required by this standard to ensure:
1. It is available and suitable for use when and where it is needed
2. It is adequately protected from loss of confidentiality, improper use or loss of integrity.
How to control documented information:
The organization can determine distribution , who has access to it , and how it is used .
The org. Can control how documents are stored to prevent loss of data
Org. Can control how long the documents are stored and when to dispose of them.
External documents needed by the organization for planning and operation of the EMS shall be identified as appropriate and controlled
Describe chapter 8 ( operation)
8.1 operational planning and control.
The organization must establish implement and maintain processes needed to meet the requirements of the EMS as well as address actions identified in 6.1 and 6.2. By :
Establishing operating criteria for the processes
Implementing control of the processes in accordance with the operating criteria.
Nb: the organization shall ensure that all outsourced processes are controlled
Or influenced . The type and extent of control or influence is defined in the EMS.
True or false: 8.1 triggered most of the processes and procedures about practical stuff like waste, chemicals and purchasing .
True
Under operational control and planning the organization has to consider the life cycle perspective . How do they do that ?
By establishing controls in design and development process to address environmental requirements determine environmental requirement for procured products and services , communicate these requirements to providers and provide information on the environmental aspects through the entire life cycle of their own products and services.
