Environmental Management Systems The ISO 14000 Approach Initial

Environmental Management Systems The ISO 14000 Approach Initial Environmental Review & Gap Analysis Presented by: NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance

Initial Planning * NSF 2001

Keys To Success EPA EMS Pilot Program for Government Entities http: //www. p 2 pays. org/ref/06/05762. pdf F Keys to Success pages 55 -57: F – Top management commitment and support is essential to the success of the EMS process – Organizations who build on existing organizational processes and procedures are more successful than those who create new EMS elements – The Implementation Team is pivotal to the success of the EMS program – Employee awareness, understanding and involvement in the EMS should extend across the entire organization and be recognized as an organizational priority

Conducting Initial Review Allows EMS team to get their “feet wet” F Begin identifying environmental aspects F Collect information on existing environmental management: F – – – legal and other requirements operational procedures previous non-compliance, NOVs, local env. concerns. budget planning process environmental records storage Emergency response procedures

4. 3. 1 Environmental Aspects F Identify environmental aspects – Environmental Aspect: element of an organizations activities, products , or services that can interact with the environment (See ISO 14001 Annex A – A. 3. 1) F Locate and collect information on – frequency and volume of waste generated – methods of control (control equipment, procedures) – violations, non-compliances, environmental emergencies, local concerns

4. 3. 2 Legal & Other Requirements F Not just permits – http: //www. p 2 pays. org/iso/tools/legal. htm – http: //www. p 2 pays. org/iso/tools/manuals. htm F Federal and State voluntary programs – MOM, SGP, etc. F Local restrictions/requirements – solid waste disposal bans – water conservation restrictions – emergency management F Business standards and contracts – ISO 14001

4. 3. 2 Legal & Other Requirements F Consider making a chart to track existing legal & other requirements – Permits, external audits, reporting etc. – May want to include: required by, frequency, responsible party, location, retention time F Consider status reports on requirements – Compliance status report

4. 3. 2 Legal & Other Requirements Determine how to keep up-to-date on legal requirements F Various tools could be used – F – Subscription service that tracks environmental regulations – Trade journals – Attend environmental regulation update seminars by public or private agencies – Coordination with corporate environmental staff – Working relationship with regulators F Determine how new regulatory information will be communicated to affected employees

4. 3. 3 Objectives & Targets 4. 3. 4 Env. Management Program F Determine the existing budgeting process used by the organization – Process of selecting annual objectives and targets should occur so that essential resources can be budgeted to assure progress is made

4. 4. 2 Training, Awareness, & Competence F Identify current environmental related training – – What does it cover When does it occur Who receives it Who provides it 4. 4. 3 Communication F Identify the existing process for handling communications from external interested parties related to environmental issues

4. 4. 6 Operational Control F Locate existing operating procedures that relate to products, activities, or services with environmental aspects – Maintenance work orders – Operation manuals for environmental related equipment. – Written procedures F Locate existing contracts with suppliers, waste handlers, and contract workers

4. 4. 7 Emergency Preparedness & Response F Locate existing emergency response plans 4. 5. 1 Monitoring and Measuring Identify existing environmental performance indicators F Locate list of calibrated equipment F Identify current process for evaluating compliance F

4. 5. 2 Nonconformance & Corrective / Preventative Action F Determine current procedure for addressing environmental related problems. 4. 5. 3 Records F Identify following issues related to existing environmental records (See ISO 14001 Annex A – A. 5. 3) – Types – Location – Retention times

4. 6 Management Review F Identify current schedule for management meetings

Gap Analysis Compares EMS with requirements of ISO 14001 F Allows EMS team to assess progress and plan future actions F Effective tool for updating upper management on progress F Global Environmental Management Initiative ISO 14001 Self Assessment Checklist http: //www. gemi. org/ISO_111. pdf F Condensed GEMI checklist F

Scheduling Provides roadmap for management elements to be addressed F Consider including in the schedule: F – – – EMS team meeting dates Management review dates Governmental EMS training dates Potential external review dates Gap analysis review periods