MODULE- 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Environmental management system (EMS)

Audits assess performance against targets set out in the EMS. Thus, EMS auditing is a sub-
category of performance auditing. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) is
negotiating a series of international standards for environmental management – the ISO
14000 standards series. These include an internationally accepted model for an EMS,
identified as ISO 14001, adopted in 1996.10 It requires that the organisation set itself
environmental goals, which are to be identified by the organisation. Although it does not
prescribe goals, ISO 14001 does prescribe management processes essential to the
achievement of those goals. They include undertaking an inventory and assessment of
environmental aspects of an organisation‘s operations, products and services; that employees
be trained and competent to handle the environmental consequences of their work; and that
an organisation commit to processes of
Continual environmental improvement.

Continual Improvement
Management Review
Auditing and Corrective Action
Environmental Management Program
Environmental Objectives & Targets
Commitment & Environmental Policy

The EMS standard rests at the foundation of the structure of ISO 14000 standards that
address, amongst other things, environmental labelling, life cycle assessment, certification
and accreditation‘s 14010 is the adopted standard for General Principles on Environmental
Auditing and its broad scope14 can encompass audit of governmental performance. The
standard applies to all types of environmental auditing, not just EMS auditing. The
Audit criteria could be, for example, the governmental policies, practices, procedures or
requirements against which the auditor compares collected audit evidence. The criteria are set
by the ―client‖, which can be the governmental organisation that calls for the audit. It appears
well adapted to public sector environmental performance reporting.

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) – also called Life-Cycle Analysis – is a tool

for examining the total environmental impact of a product through every
step of its life – from obtaining raw materials all the way through making it in
a factory, shipping it, selling it in a store, using it in the workplace or at
home, and disposing of it.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to assess diverse environmental impacts associated
with a product, from the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing, use, and the final
disposal of the product.

There are several ways to measure the life cycle of a product. The most basic of assessments will
account for energy input and output and environmental impact at each stage. The LCA begins with the
extraction of its raw materials and ends with a product's disposal or reuse. In general, a product's life
cycle can be broken down into four main parts: raw material extraction, production, use, and end of
life.

Raw Material Extraction

Where raw materials are coming from and how they are extracted largely contribute to the state of a
product's life cycle. This part in the cycle includes the collection, creation, or acquisition of materials
from the environment or other means.2 Whether it is a crop, minerals, or fossil fuels, this would entail
the resources and energy required to grow and harvest it or extract it from the earth. Also included
would be the impact on the surrounding ecosystems.

Production

This stage is a multi-step process, which includes the processing of the raw materials, manufacturing
and assembly of the product, packaging, and transportation.3 When an assessment is ended at this
point, it's called cradle-to-gate—a method more common in business to business assessments, where
the use phase is bypassed completely.4

Consumer Use

How a consumer will use the product can be an important determinant in the life cycle. Though it is
believed that this phase is the most important in terms of impact, consumer behavior has been one of
the least studied areas within the general field of life cycle analysis.5 For instance, more water will be
used during the time a consumer has a shirt than the water used to produce the shirt. This lends to the
argument that this portion of a product's life cycle is a significant element of the assessment.

End of Life

The end-of-life stage of the assessment is important when acknowledging the effects of waste on
human health and the environment.6 The focus on the end-of-life stage is also responsible for
assessments such as cradle-to-grave and cradle-to-cradle. Cradle-to-grave indicates an object that is
made and then disposed of when no longer used. It is this method that creates waste. In a cradle-to-
cradle model, the product is able to be reused in some fashion eliminating waste. While cradle-to-
cradle models aren't typical of the LCA, it's being considered more as sustainability is becoming
increasingly integrated with the assessment.

There are four phases or steps of the LCA: goal and scope; inventory analysis of extractions and
emissions; life cycle impact assessment; and interpretation. Each of these phases is part of a standard
created by ISO to provide a strategic method to assess the life cycle.
Goal and Scope

Though it can be modified based on subsequent data, the goal and scope phase is considered
particularly important as it defines the exact approach taken in the assessment.8 Procedures for this
phase are loosely defined by the ISO to allow for variability. A few things to consider in this phase
are performance, aesthetics, and the cost of the product. Together, these make up the functional unit.9
Also assessed would be system boundaries, exclusion of life cycle stages or inputs, and the selection
of impact indicators and characterization factors.

Inventory Analysis

This is the phase where input/output data with regard to the system or product is gathered. This will
included the necessary information to meet the goals defined in the goal and scope phase. This has
been spouted as the most straight forward portion of the LCA.10 It is also one of the more time
consuming. Because of this, a number of databases have been developed to provided resources to
compile the needed data. One example, the U.S. Life Cycle Inventory (USLCI) Database, provides
"individual gate-to-gate, cradle-to-gate, and cradle-to-grave accounting of the energy and material
flows into and out of the environment that are associated with producing a material, component, or
assembly in the U.S."11

Impact Assessment

The Impact Assessment of the LCA adds to the data collected in the inventory analysis to better assess
the possible environmental impact of a product. This step will involve choosing relevant impact
categories, putting data from the LCI into the categories, and modeling these impacts. In addition,
some studies may want to sort, rank, and weight the specific categories, though generally only the first
steps are done.
Interpretation

The last phase of the assessment is meant to use all gathered information to evaluate the accuracy of
the data collected and whether or not the study's goals were met.12 The stated outcome should reflect
the conclusions and limitations of the study as well as present relevant recommendations. The
interpretation should project confidence in the study and relate results in a manner that is thorough
and objective.

Impact on Sustainability

The LCA can be and has been used successfully in multiple industries. A Brazilian cosmetics
manufacturer, for example, measured and managed the environmental impacts of its product using the
LCA.13 Within the agri-food sector, the tool is used to determine the environmental footprint of
various crops. It has also been used to assess the main contributions to the carbon footprint of a wool
sweater.14

Significance and core elements of ems

An EMS recognizes that certain environmental aspects are significant for an organization because
they impinge upon certain legal or other requirements, which can affect the organization's ability to
carry out its mission. These may include federal and state requirements, industry standards, or
organizational standards.

10 Elements in a EMS
Environmental Management System
For maximum environmental and economic benefits from an environmental
management system and to help comply with the EMS requirement under the Toxics
Use & Hazardous Waste Reduction law,

A business should include the following 10 elements in its system. These elements
can apply to many
different EMS models, including ISO 14001. Use this checklist to be sure your
system includes all 10 and keep it on site.

1. Environmental Policy
Reflects how the organization feels about the environment Identifies environmental
impacts of processes and products,Ensures compliance with environmental
requirements, Commits organization to prevent pollution, reduce environmental risks
and share information with external stakeholders
2. Environmental Requirements and Voluntary Initiatives
Employees understand their roles in meeting environmental requirements
Identify management and manufacturing practices that affect the organization's
ability to meet requirements Identify and work with programs that encourage
preventing pollution
3. Objectives/Targets
Set the following environmental objectives: comply with environmental requirements;
continuous improvement in regulated and non-regulated areas; prevent pollution
Make objectives specific to the organization Set timeframes to meet objectives
Update objectives as environmental requirements evolve
4. Structure, Responsibility and Resources
Ensure the organization has the personnel and resources needed to meet objectives
Make managers responsible for the environmental performance of their unit Develop
procedures for attaining objectives
5. Operational Control
Establish a procedure to ensure the proper waste management hierarchy is followed
Develop simple procedures to measure and report environmental impacts of
processes and products
6. Corrective and Preventive Action and Emergency Procedures
Document procedures for identifying, correcting and preventing mistakes
Develop emergency procedures to minimize or eliminate adverse environmental
impacts associated with accidents or emergencies

Key Elements of an EMS

 Environmental policy •EDevelop a statement of your organization‘s

commitment to the environment. Use this policy as a framework for planning
and action.
 Environmental aspects •EIdentify environmental attributes of your products,
activities and services. Determine those that could have significant impacts on
the environment.
 Legal and other requirements •EIdentify and ensure access to relevant laws
and regulations, as well as other requirements to which your organization
adheres.
 Objectives and targets •EEstablish environmental goals for your organization,
in line with your policy, environmental impacts, the views of interested parties
and other factors.
 Environmental management program •EPlan actions necessary to achieve
your objectives and targets.
 Structure and responsibility •EEstablish roles and responsibilities for
environmental management and provide appropriate resources.
 Training, awareness and competence •EEnsure that your employees are
trained and capable of carrying out their environmental responsibilities.
 Communication •EEstablish processes for internal and external
communications on environmental management issues.
 EMS documentation •EMaintain information on your EMS and related
documents.
 Document control •EEnsure effective management of procedures and other
system documents.
 Operational control •EIdentify, plan and manage your operations and
activities in line with your policy, objectives and targets.
 Emergency preparedness and response •EIdentify potential emergencies and
develop procedures for preventing and responding to them.
 Monitoring and measurement •EMonitor key activities and track
performance. Conduct periodic assessments of compliance with legal
requirements.
 Nonconformance and corrective and preventive action •EIdentify and correct
problems and prevent their recurrence.
 Records •EMaintain and manage records of EMS performance.
  EMS audit •EPeriodically verify that your EMS is operating as intended.
 Management review •EPeriodically review your EMS with an eye to
continual improvement.

What is the importance or significance of having a environmental management system and how is it
applied in the society?
Having an effective EMS helps businesses reduce their impact on the environment, as well as
improving health and safety for both employees and the community. An EMS also ensures that a
company's activities do not defy any environmental legislation or regulations

setting up and running an environmental management system (EMS) can provide significant
benefits across a number of areas of your business.

Potential benefits

Running an effective EMS will help you with:

 improving resource efficiency and reducing unnecessary expenditure - you will

have policies and procedures in place that help you manage waste and resources more
effectively. This can reduce your associated raw material and operating costs
 better regulatory compliance - an EMS will help you become legally compliant and
will reduce the risk of fines and adverse publicity
 lighter regulation - even if an EMS is not a regulatory requirement, by showing your
commitment to environmental management, you may benefit through less frequent
site visits or reduced fees from environmental regulators;
 sales and marketing - large businesses and government departments may only deal
with businesses that have an EMS. It can be vital for successful tendering and meeting
supply chain requirements;
 improving business reputation - increased awareness and control of your
environmental impacts can improve public relations. Running an EMS will also help
you prove your business' green credentials
 finance - you may find it easier to raise investment from banks and other financial
institutions. Investors are increasingly keen to see businesses controlling their
environmental impact and showing an awareness of the risks and opportunities
associated with environmental issues.

setting up and running an environmental management system (EMS) can provide significant
benefits across a number of areas of your business.

EMS Standered

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of processes and practices that enable an
organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency

What Is ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems?

ISO 14001

Environmental Management System

Included in the ISO 14000 series are the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management
System (EMS) standard and other standards in related fields such as environmental auditing,
environmental performance evaluation, environmental labeling, and life-cycle assessment

Quality Glossary Definition: ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective
environmental management system (EMS). It provides a framework that an organization can
follow, rather than establishing environmental performance requirements.

Part of the ISO 14000 family of standards on environmental management, ISO 14001 is a
voluntary standard that organizations can certify to. Integrating it with other management
systems standards, most commonly ISO 9001, can further assist in accomplishing
organizational goals.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines an environmental

management system as ―part of the management system used to manage environmental
aspects, fulfill compliance obligations, and address risks and opportunities.‖ The framework
in the ISO 14001 standard can be used within a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) approach to
continuous improvement

What is the ISO 14000 standard for EMS?

ISO 14000 is a series of international standards designed to help organizations operate with
sustainability, adhere to environmental regulations, and continuously improve processes. The
ISO 14000 standard contains ISO 14001:2015 which specifies the requirements for an
effective Environmental Management System (EMS)
Basic principles of ISO 14000. There are a number of important concepts at the core of the ISO
14000 family of standards, including the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, continuous improvement, and
broader incentives for environmental maintenance and management.

The ISO 14001 standard provides a clear management framework based on the well-
established management principles of Plan-Do- Check-Act. According to ISO 14001, there
are six key elements of an EMS (UNEP/ICC/FIDIC,
1995)
1. Environmental Policy.
2. Planning.
3. Implementation & Operation.
4. Checking and Corrective Action.
5. Management Review.
6. Continual Improvement.

The standard requires an organization to assess the operations impact on the environment,
understand how those impacts can be managed and set clear objectives and targets to
continually improve on environmental performance

Environmental Policy
Environmental policy is the written statement of an organization‘s intentions and principals
in relation to its overall environmental performance. It provides a framework for the
EMS objectives and targets. It must be communicated internally and externally and be
implemented.

Planning
Through planning the organization analyses the environmental impact of its operation;
develops a procedure that allows it to identify the applicable legal requirements relating to
its activities; establishes and documents objectives
and targets consistent with its environmental policy; and creates a program for meeting those
targets and objectives

implementation and Operation

Implementation and operation involve the development and execution of processes to
realize environmental goals and objectives whereby the organization should define document
and clearly communicate environmental management responsibilities;
identify training needs and also provide employees with appropriate training. Emergency
preparedness and response planning also are the parts of this element.

Checking and Corrective Action

Checking and corrective action procedures must be developed by the organization to ensure
regular monitoring and measurement of key processes that have a significant impact on the
environment. The organization must also establish a system for managing environmental
records and conducting periodic audits of the EMS.

Management Review
It is the review of the EMS by the organization‘s top management to ensure its continuing
suitability, adequacy and effectiveness in light of changing circumstances

Continual Improvement
An EMS enables an organization to control the impact of its activities, products, and services
by establishing targets and objectives related to identified environmental management goals
for achieving continual improvement.
The standard is widely recognized as a ‗generic environmental management system
standard‖ which can be applied to any organization, large or small, whatever its product or
service, in any sector of activity, and whether it is a business enterprise, public administration
or government

Benefits of ISO 14000

The ISO 14001 standard provides specific requirements for an EMS and shares some common management

system principles with the ISO 9000 series of standards, including the "plan-do-check-act model" mentioned
above and the requirement for top management commitment. The basic focus of the ISO 14000 series of
standards is environmental protection, while the ISO 9000 series of standards focuses on quality and customer
needs.

It should be noted that ISO 9000 is not a prerequisite for ISO 14001, although companies that have
both have successfully integrated the two management systems.
An effective EMS provides many benefits to the implementing organization, its customers and
stakeholders, and to regulators, including:

• Reduced environmental risk.

• Proactive environmental management.

• Improved employee environmental awareness and performance.

• Increased operating efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Increased operating efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Enhanced relationships and communication with employees, regulators,

and Stakeholders

ISO 14000 is a family of ‗standards‘ - the standard (14001) related to environmental

management that exists to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes,
etc.) negatively affect the environment (i.e. cause adverse changes to air, water, or land); (b)
comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements;
and (c) continually improve in the above.

ISO 14000 is similar to ISO 9000 quality management in that both pertain to the process of how a
service/product is rendered, rather than to the service/product itself. As with ISO 9001, certification is
performed by third-party organizations rather than being awarded by ISO directly. The ISO 19011 and
ISO 17021 audit standards apply when audits are being performed.

The requirements of ISO 14001 are an integral part of the European Union's Eco-Management and
Audit Scheme (EMAS). EMAS's structure and material are more demanding, mainly concerning
performance improvement, legal compliance, and reporting duties.[2] The current version of ISO
14001 is ISO 14001:2015, which was published in September 2015

ISO 14001 define criteria for an EMS. It does not state requirements for environmental performance
but rather maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective
EMS. It can be used by any organization that wants to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and
reduce costs. Using ISO 14001 can provide assurance to company management and employees as
well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved.[7] ISO
14001 can also be integrated with other management functions and assists companies in meeting their
environmental and economic goals.

ISO 14001, like other ISO 14000 standards, is voluntary,[12] with its main aim to assist companies in
continually improving their environmental performance and complying with any applicable
legislation. The organization sets its own targets and performance measures, and the standard
highlights what an organization needs to do to meet those goals, and to monitor and measure the
situation.[12] The standard does not focus on measures and goals of environmental performance, but of
the organization. The standard can be applied to a variety of levels in the business, from the
organizational level down to the product and service level.

ISO 14001 is known as a generic management system standard, meaning that it is relevant to
any organization seeking to improve and manage resources more effectively. This includes:

 single-site to large multi-national companies

 high-risk companies to low-risk service organizations
 the manufacturing, process, and service industries, including local governments
 all industry sectors, including public and private sectors
 original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers

OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognized standard for Occupational Health and Safety
Management Systems. By implementing its best-practice processes, you can help your
company identify and control its health and safety risks

OHSAS 18001, Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series, was an international standard
for occupational health and safety management systems that was subsequently adopted as a British
Standard. Compliance with it enabled organizations to demonstrate that they had a system in place for
occupational health and safety. BSI cancelled OHSAS 18001 to adopt ISO 45001. ISO 45001 was
published in March 2018 by the International Organization for Standardization.[1] Organizations that
are certified to OHSAS 18001 were able to migrate to ISO 45001 by March 2021 to retain a
recognized certification

what are the Procedures of OHSAS 18001 certification?

The structural properties of the OHSAS 18001 process have the following parts:

 General necessities for occupational health and safety management

systems
 System policy
 System plan
 System implementation and operation
 Checking the system and taking corrective action
 Management review method

This arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something

complex demonstrates that the basic processes of the OHSAS 18001
Occupational/commercial Health and Safety Management method are five:
  Occupational/commercial Health and Safety Management
method morality: The Company must have a moral assumption through
the top management.
 Plan: Processes should be identified and written business processes
established to find hazards, identify risks, and take essential measures
 Implementation and Process: Define the practices and activities
associated to risks where controls and actions should be taken. Programs
must be built up to set up for emergencies
 Enquire and executing ameliorate functions: Methods to
performance a tool or device used for detecting, checking, or keeping a
continuous record of a process or measure and mature with a constant or
definite pattern, and ameliorate and sitting aside the action taken when
necessary. Risk assessment should be done in all cases.
 The method must be objected to interior oversight at steady intervals.
 Management review: The senior management of the organization
should review the system from time to time

How to Obtain OHSAS 18001 Certificate?

 In the process of dealing with or controlling system protesting study, sooner of

all, the documents that converge the OHSAS 18001 norm estrus must be ripe,
implemented, and hold up by exercitation studies grip into company’s account
area and scope of certification. Businesses are required to apparatus an
occupational health and safety system by ISG 6331 legal regulations.
Documentation concerning the implementation of these systems is reviewed
during inspections by the Ministry of Labor.

 Within the scope of documentation work to ensure occupational health and

safety; provide information about OHS legislation, Organizing organization,
determining an OHS officer, providing information on risk and risk analysis of
hazards, determining the current status concerning occupational health and
safety, Performing risk analysis for activities Determining occupational health
and safety policies and goals, occupational health, and safety. Establishing
relevant procedures and instructions, harmonizing existing documents with
the OHS system, if any, instructions on occupational/ commercial health and
safety, regulation, setting control documents and measurement-monitoring
methods, preparing an OHS handbook, OHS plan, and emergency plan This
comprises excitation personnel on the enforcement of the OHS system,
studies and other related studies

Benefits of OHSAS 18001

Certification procedures of ISO 14001

ISO 14001 Certification Process

As per ISO Experts view for ISO 14001 Certification process, the organization need to understand the
Requirement of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, the summarized key requirement of
ISO 14001 is provided below as ready reference for user organization, but it is advised the user
organization for understating the detailed requirement Kindly refer to ISO 14001:2015 Standard only.

The Key Requirement of ISO 14001 is

 Identification of Environmental aspects

 Environmental Aspects analysis for Its Impact on Environment
 Identification of applicable Environmental Legal requirement and fulfil the compliance
requirements
 Overall Risk Analysis of Internal & External issues, Significant Environmental aspects, and
Compliance Obligation.
 Monitoring the Environmental Performance of the organization considering the all-possible
factors.
6 Key Benefits of ISO 14001

 1) Improve your image and credibility. ...

 2) Help you comply with legal requirements. ...
 3) Improvement in cost control. ...
 4) Higher rate of success when implementing changes. ...
 5) Enable quicker improvement of processes. ...
 6) Reduce employee turnover