ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management systems

ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management systems

ISO 14001:2015 is an international standard that sets out the criteria for an environmental management system (EMS). An EMS helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources, reduction of waste, and mitigation of environmental impacts. Here are the key components of ISO 14001:2015:

• Environmental Policy: The organization establishes an environmental policy that reflects its commitment to environmental protection, compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and continual improvement of its environmental performance.
• Planning: The organization identifies environmental aspects associated with its activities, products, and services, as well as relevant environmental laws and regulations. It sets environmental objectives and targets, considering the significance of environmental impacts, and develops plans to achieve them.
• Implementation and Operation: The organization implements the environmental management system, ensuring that roles, responsibilities, and authorities are defined and communicated. It establishes operational controls to manage environmental aspects and emergency preparedness and response procedures to address potential environmental incidents.
• Evaluation and Monitoring: The organization monitors and measures its environmental performance, including compliance with legal and other requirements, achievement of environmental objectives, and effectiveness of environmental management programs. It evaluates compliance with its environmental policy and objectives and takes corrective actions as necessary.
• Review and Improvement: The organization conducts regular management reviews of its environmental management system to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. It identifies opportunities for improvement and takes corrective and preventive actions to enhance its environmental performance continually.