Thursday, November 8, 2012

Advantages Of An Environmental Management System

By Frank Lorens


Businesses are acknowledging that one of the ingredients for good business practice is good environmental practice. One of the reasons is that this kind of practice ensures that several positive things happen in a business. There are different ways through which good environmental practice can help save money. First of all, it helps in the reduction of waste production and its subsequent disposal cost, by efficiently using resources. A business is also regarded as legal as it ensures no negative environmental impact is caused by the business. Good environmental practice is a sign that businesses are complying with the environmental permits. Risks and liabilities are controlled. Customers tend to trust businesses with good environmental practice. This is why businesses will work hard to build confidence in their customers, by providing a chain of products that are environmental friendly. Lastly, good environmental practice helps fight climate change, minimise waste production and prevent water and air pollution.

A simple review is enough to help one find out about the type and degree of environmental impact that a business has. This could be the first step to help in coming up with an Environmental Management System (EMS). This is a great way of ensuring that businesses take responsibilities of all environmental impacts caused by them. This management system is a very practical tool in helping organisations manage, examine and improve environmental performance in a demonstrable way.

The EMS helps companies comply with environmental rules, reduce emissions, minimise costs and improve their resource efficiency. The EMS should be right for the business's size, nature, risk and complexity.

There are certain things that you ought to consider before implementing an EMS in your organisation. First of all, you should look at the value of using a recognised scheme. Some of these are British standard BS 8555, the EU Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) or the ISO 14001. After doing this, you should aim at achieving certification so as to provide an independent recognition of performance. This is by auditors certified by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Organisations need to produce a public statement of their performance in comparison to the set targets and objectives. This is a requirement by EMAS, a voluntary environmental registration scheme for all EU members.

Components needed to aid companies systematically recognise, assess, manage and improve environmental impacts of all activities are specified by ISO 14001, the International Standard for EMS.

Published in 2003, a British standard, BS 8555, is used to break down the implementation process for the EMAS or ISO 14001 into 6 stages. This standard makes the implementation process easier, specifically for small companies. Companies can gain the UKAS accredited recognition for their accomplishments at each stage as they strive to attain the ISO14001, thanks to the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

For an effective EMS, implementation should be done at a strategic level and incorporated into the business plans and polices so that staff members become fully aware of their environmental responsibilities. The EMS should assess the business's environmental impact and set objectives aimed at reducing the impact. The EMS should enhance compliance with the environmental regulations and eliminate instances of non-compliance. It should also promote effective resource management and encourage sustainable growth.




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