Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Change In ISO 14001:2004 – Documentation

Change In ISO 14001:2004 – Documentation

This clause has been updated to align it with ISO 19001:2004, but has not changed in intent. The listed EMS documentation now includes:

• the environmental policy,

• objectives and targets,

• a description of the scope of the EMS,

• a description of the main elements of the EMS and their interaction and reference to related documents, documents and records

• required by the standard, • documents and records determined by the organisation as necessary to ensure the effective planning, operation and control of processes that relate to the significant environmental aspects.

Formatting changes help align Clause 4.4.5 of ISO 14001:2004 with ISO 9001:2000. An additional clarification has been made to define records as a special type of document requiring control under Clause 4.5.4. A new addition to the requirements aims to ensure documents of external origin, (i.e. MSDS, permits) that are necessary to the system, are identified and their distribution is controlled.

Formatting changes help align Clause 4.4.5 of ISO 14001:2004 with ISO 9001:2000. An additional clarification has been made to define records as a special type of document requiring control under Clause 4.5.4. A new addition to the requirements aims to ensure documents of external origin, (i.e. MSDS, permits) that are necessary to the system, are identified and their distribution is controlled.

The revised standard requires documents required by the EMS and the standard to be controlled documents.

Note that “document” is included in the definitions, and includes its supporting medium which can be paper, magnetic, electronic or optical computer disc, photograph or master sample, or a combination thereof.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO ISO 14001:2004

SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO ISO 14001:2004

ISO 14001:2004 aims to clarify the 1996 edition and align it more closely with the ISO 9001:2000 standard. Some clauses have not been modified for content but have been rewritten to align ISO 14001:2004 with the format, wording, and layout of ISO 9001:2000 and to enhance the compatibility between the two standards.

References in Annex A of the standard are aligned with the numbering in the standard for ease of use. Annex B of the standard identifies similarities and associations between ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004.

An important change in wording throughout the revised standard appears in requirements that previously stated that an organisation shall “establish and maintain”; these have now been changed to “establish, implement and maintain”.

Throughout the standard the word “personnel” in the original standard is replaced with “persons working for or on behalf of the organisation” in the revised standard. This is included to ensure that external contractors and applicable suppliers are included under the requirements of certain clauses.

In developing, implementing and maintaining the organisation’s EMS, significant environmental aspects, applicable legal requirements and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes must be considered, and management must ensure the availability of resources.

There are additional paragraphs in the introduction, which generally cover:

• the aim of the ISO 14001:2004 standard is to enhance compatibility with ISO 9001:2000;

• alignment is improved between clause references and supporting Annexes. For example, 4.3.3 and A.3.3 both deal with objectives, targets and programme(s), and 4.5.5 and A.5.5 both deal with internal audit;

• an explanation of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model used in ISO 9001:2000;

• the use of the process approach is promoted in alignment with ISO 9001:2000;

• possible alignment and integration with other management systems is reviewed.

The Benefits To Integrate ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008

The Benefits To Integrate ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008

Reduce the time and cost of implementing the new specification by acquiring a concise, yet thorough understanding the scope of ISO 14001:2004 and key terms.

Avoid spinning your wheels by learning precisely which modifications and additions to ISO 14001:2004 require your attention for compliance with ISO 9001:2008.

Get a quick handle, through hands-on activities, on the environmental aspects of ISO 14001:2004, including how to:
- Develop an environmental policy statement appropriate for your company
- Integrate processes for identifying environmental aspects and impacts
- Identify environmental objectives, set related targets, and establish programs for achieving results
- Integrate environmental responsibilities and authorities into a management system
- Outline an environmental awareness and training program
- Establish environmental metrics and indicators for monitoring performance
- Integrate requirements on non-conformance and corrective and preventive actions into your existing system
- Understand the purpose and scope of the environmental management review
- Integrate document control requirements of ISO 14001:2004 into your current system
- Identify those operations that need to be controlled under EMS and identify emergency operations and contingencies that must be considered as part of EMS

Get off to a running start by learning to use a versatile prioritization matrix to identify and prioritize significant environmental aspects and impacts.

Optimize understanding and retention with the Plexus Learning Model
- Multiple learning channels through lecture, coaching, group activities, innovative learning exercises and case studies.
- Hands-on insights. Lecturing is minimized so learning is maximized.
- Learn by doing. Connect the lessons learned to your real world by using your current circumstances as examples for activities.

Friday, September 18, 2009

What is ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems

What is ISO 14001
?ISO 14000 is a series of international standards on environmental management. It provides a framework for the development of an environmental management system and the supporting audit programme.
The main thrust for its development came as a result of the Rio Summit on the Environment held in 1992.
ISO 14000 is an Environmental Management System (EMS), which requires that an organization consider the environmental aspects of its products and services.
Iso14000 approach forces you to take a hard look at all areas of your business that has an environmental impact.
Iso14000 is the world’s first series of Internationally accepted Standards for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
Iso14000 elevates Environmental Management to a Strategic Level that can be applied to any organization, from any industry, anywhere in the world.
ISO 14000 is a series of voluntary standards and guideline reference documents.
The part of the overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy.
ISO 14000 is an Environmental Management System (EMS) who’s purpose is:
· A management commitment to pollution prevention.
· An understanding of the environmental impacts (reducing) of an organization’s activities.
A commitment (pollution prevention) to employees, neighbors and customers
The History of ISO 14000
As a number of national standards emerged (BS 7750 being the first), the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) created a group to investigate how such standards might benefit business and industry. As a result this group recommended that an ISO committee be created to create an international standard.
What is ISO 14001?ISO 14001 is the corner stone standard of the ISO 14000 series. It specifies a framework of control for an Environmental Management System against which an organization can be certified by a third party.
The environment cannot be protected by our convictions or goodwill alone. Efforts to protect the environment must be planned, coordinated and organized into a system, such as ISO 14001.


· ISO 14004 provides guidance on the development and implementation of environmental management systems
· ISO 14010 provides general principles of environmental auditing (now superseded by ISO 19011)
· ISO 14011 provides specific guidance on audit an environmental management system (now superseded by ISO 19011)
· ISO 14012 provides guidance on qualification criteria for environmental auditors and lead auditors (now superseded by ISO 19011)
· ISO 14013/5 provides audit program review and assessment material.
· ISO 14020+ labeling issues
· ISO 14030+ provides guidance on performance targets and monitoring within an Environmental Management System
· ISO 14040+ covers life cycle issues
Of all these, ISO14001 is not only the most well known, but is the only ISO 14000 standard against which it is currently possible to be certified by an external certification authority.
ISO14000 – Introduction
After the success of the ISO9000 series of quality standards, the International Standards Organization published a comprehensive set of standards for environmental management. This series of standards is designed to cover the whole area of environmental issues for organizations in the global marketplace.
History of Development
The ISO 14000 series emerged primarily as a result of the Uruguay round of the GATT negotiations and the Rio Summit on the Environment held in 1992. While GATT concentrates on the need to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade, the Rio Summit generated a commitment to protection of the environment across the world. The environmental field has seen a steady growth of national and regional standards. The British Standards Institution has BS 7750 , the Canadian Standards Association has environmental management, auditing, eco-labeling and other standards, the European Union has all of these plus the eco-management and audit regulations , and many other countries (e.g. USA, Germany and Japan) have introduced eco-labeling programs.