Cleaner Production and Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
In terms of Cleaner production the focus of management should be on prevention rather than on cure of avoiding environmental problems. The inclusion of commitment to prevention in the environmental policy is one prerequisite of the common management standards like the EMAS regulation, ISO14001 or the British Standard. But how can a formalized environmental management system help to start and run processes of continuous improvement and voluntary self regulation? It is to conclude from several experiences that Cleaner Production and common environmental management standards fit well together and support each other in helping an organization to really decrease its environmental effects
Analysing environmental management systems implemented on the basis of cleaner production (CP) projects demonstrates, that CP supplies management and employees with systematic tools to decrease the environmental impact and at the same time CP saves costs from inefficient use of materials and energy and motivates the organization as well by creating awareness throughout the enterprise. Such CP management strategies are heading for:
o Productivity of materials
o Energy efficiency
o Material flow management
o Preventive environmental protection
o Sustainable use of natural capital
o Service orientation
o Legal compliance
CP programs as part of EMS
A pollution prevention program is an integral part of a larger environmental management system. Without a very strong pollution prevention program, implementing an EMS is very difficult. Thus, pollution prevention is a strong base on which a company or organisation can build an outstanding environmental management system. Once executive level managers have decided to establish a pollution prevention or cleaner production program, they should convey this commitment to all employees through a formal policy statement.
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental management systems are becoming more and more common in industry in many countries. Companies that trade internationally are actively looking to voluntary environmental guidance and standards, in particular ISO 14001, to document their commitment to the environment in order to increase their business potential and the public image.
An environmental management system (EMS) is a program of continuous environmental improvements. EMS generally follow a defined sequence of steps defined from already established project management practices. As a part of the overall management system of an organisation, EMS are designed to achieve environmental goals, manage environmental issues, and continually improve environmental performance. EMS sometimes also are referred to as total quality environmental management. Some of the benefits of EMS are:
o Improved control and efficiency
o Reliable regulatory compliance
o Reduced environmental liabilities
o Easier access to loans
o Enhanced corporate image
o Reduced insurance premiums
Main elements of an EMS
The most important pieces of EMS are strong support from management and education and involvement of all employees. Additionally, EMS must have a framework that ensures the elements of environmental improvement are in place and are reviewed for continuous improvement. There are five main components of the framework of an EMS:
o Environmental policy
o Planning
o Implementation and operation
o Checking and corrective action
o Management review
ISO 14000
The best known common framework for EMS is the ISO 14000 series, which was prepared by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO is a private sector, international standards organization based in Geneva, Switzerland and made up of national standards institutes from over 120 member countries. more >>