An Environmental
Management System (EMS) is the part of an organization’s management system that
consists of a set of policies, objectives and procedures that is aimed at
achieving the Environmental Policy. Environmental management system (EMS) is
defined as the part of an organization’s overall management system. This system
deals with the environmental processes, practices, policy and objectives. These
aim to minimize the negative environmental impacts and facilitate environmental
protection.
Environmental management
system (EMS) refers to the management of an organization's environmental
programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It
includes the organizational structure, planning and resources for developing,
implementing and maintaining policy for environmental protection.
ISO 14001 is an International
standard that provides the requirements for establishment, implementation,
maintenance and continual improvement of an Environmental Management System.
To establish an
effective EMS, the ISO 14001 Standard is widely used across the World. The latest
version of this standard is the ISO 14001:2015 standard. The latest version of
this standard was published on September 15, 2015.
Benefits of an
Environmental Management System
Following are the
benefits of an Environmental Management System:
1.
Effectively
measure, monitor and control the impact of organizational operations on
the environment. Environmental management
enables organizations to make efficient use of energy and material
resources. They also assist in implementation of stringent controls
on greenhouse gas emissions and related environmental contamination.
2.
Realize cost
savings through resource, waste and energy management
3.
Show environmental
commitment in principle and practice
4.
Ensure compliance to
environmental legislation
5.
Enhance environmental
performance of supply chain
6.
Enhance the corporate
image and credibility
7.
Minimize or nullify
the public liability insurance costs for your company
8.
Ensure eco friendly
operations
9.
Spread environmental
friendly values in the organization and to the public
10.
Helps to adhere to the
International and national conservation strategy
11.
EMS helps to identify
the organisation’s impacts on the environment. This helps to frame
environmental objectives and targets. This in turn enhances the organisation’s
overall environmental performance
Example ;
Any Organization, whether manufacturing products
or services or both can get certified to the ISO 14001
standard. These include but not limited to Electroplating industry,
petrochemical industry, polymers, tobacco industry, powder coating plants,
wood, food, machining component manufacturers, machinery, electrical and
electronics, cement, agriculture, etc.
Even service based organizations can get certified to ISO 14001 to
show their commitment to environment. They can save paper usage, power usage,
water usage, etc at the minimum .
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