ISO 14001 : 2015 (ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)

ISO 14001 : 2015 (ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)

Bayu Nurwinanto

This international standard specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. This international standard is intended for use by an organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.

This international standard helps an organization achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system, which provide value for the environment, the organization itself and interested parties. Consistent with the organization’s environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental management system include.

• Enhancement of environmental performance.
• Fulfilment of compliance obligation.
• Achievement of environmental objectives.

Key Elements ISO 14001:2015

1. Context of the organization

1.1 Understanding the organization and its context

The organization shall determine external and internal issues that affect its ability to achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system. Such issues shall include environmental conditions being affected by or capable of affecting the organization.

1.2 Understanding the need and expectation of interested parties.

The organization shall determine :

• The interested parties that are relevant to the environmental management system.
• The relevant needs and expectations (i.e requirements) of these interested parties.
• Which of these needs and expectation become its compliance obligations.

1.3 Determining the scope of the environmental management system

When determining this scope, the organization shall consider :

• The external and internal issues.
• The compliance obligations.
• Its organizational unit, function, and physical boundaries.
• Its activities, products and services.
• Its authority and ability to exercise control and influence.

Once the scope is defined, all activities, product and services of the organization within that scope need to be included in the environmental management system.

The scope shall be maintained as documented information and be available to interested parties.

2. Leadership

2.1 Leadership and commitment

Top management shall demonstrate leadership and commitment with respect to the environmental management system.

2.2. Environmental policy

Top management shall establish, implement and maintain an environmental policy that, within the defined scope of its environmental management system.

2.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities

Top management shall ensure that the responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles are assigned and communicated within the organization.

3. Planning

3.1 Action to address risks and opportunities

• Environmental aspects.
• Compliance obligations.
• Planning action.

3.2 Environmental objectives and planning to achieve them

• Environmental objectives.
• Planning actions to achieve environmental objectives.

4. Support

4.1 Resources

The organization shall determine and provide the resources needed for the establishment, implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the environmental management system.

4.2 Competence

Determine the necessary competence of person doing work under its control that affects its environmental performance and its ability to fulfill its compliance obligations.

4.3 Awareness

• The environmental policy.
• The significant environmental aspects and related actual or potential environmental impacts associated with their work.

4.4 Communication

• Internal Communication
• external Communication

4.5 Documented Information

• Creating and updating documented information.
• Control of documented information.

5. Operation 

5.1 Operation planning and control 

5.2 Emergency preparedness and response.

6. Performance Evaluation

6.1 Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation.

• Evaluation of compliance

6.2 internal audit

• Internal audit programme.
• Management review.

7.   Improvement

7,1 Nonconformity and corrective action.

7.2 Continual improvement

The organization shall continually improve the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.