Week 10 Review

Question 1

Why implement or certify ISO standards?

Answer 1

• Certification is optional as Many firms do not
  
  • ISO 14001:2005 page Vii, states organization can demonstrate conformity by:
    ○ selfdetermination and self-declaration
    ○ Confirmation by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customer
    ○ Confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, e.g and industry by association
    ○ Certification/registration by an external organization.

Question 2

Benefits of ISO 14001 according to ISO

Answer 2

• Iso claims
  ○ International, expert consensus on state-of-the-art practices for management.
  ○ Common language for dealing with customers and suppliers
  ○ Worldwide implementation

Question 3

Benefits of ISO 19001 and ISO 14001

Answer 3

Internally
- Increase efficiency and effectiveness
- Model for continual improvement
- Build quality into products and services from design onwards
- Retain systems for management over time
- Assure internal controls and due diligence
External
- Model for satisfying customer and other stakeholders
- Qualify supplier in global supply chains
- Address environmental concerns of customers and the public
- Comply with government regulations
- Show (and assure) good citizenship.

Question 4

Criticism of ISO 14001

Answer 4

• Costly to implement and maintain
  ○ Boon for consultants and IT providers
  
  • Applies only to large organizations
    ○ False promise to SMEs
  • Has a Western management bias
    ○ Although uptake greater in China, and Japan than USA or Canada
  • Promises more than it delivers
  • Just a list of requirements
  • Heavy on documentation weak on effectiveness
  • Is done by firms as stamp of approval.

Question 5

what is the difference between ISO 14001 & ISO 14001:2015 ?

Answer 5

ISO 14001:2015 offers a deeper approach to LCA & environmental improvement, but cuts back PDCA & continual improvement to emphasise leadership