Key Principles of Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Audits

Core Definitions

• Environmental Policy: A statement by an organization of its intentions and principles concerning its overall environmental performance. It provides a framework for action and for setting environmental objectives and targets.
• Environmental Objective: A general environmental goal, originating from the environmental policy, that an organization sets for itself. It should be quantified where possible.
• Environmental Target: A detailed and quantified performance requirement, applicable to the organization or its parts, that arises from the environmental objectives and must be met to achieve those objectives.

Core Concepts of Environmental Management

• Definition: A set of measures designed to achieve maximum rationality in the decision-making process regarding the conservation, protection, and improvement of the environment, based on coordinated, multidisciplinary information and public awareness.
• Supporting Principles:
  • Optimizing the use of resources.
  • Anticipating and preventing environmental impacts.
  • Controlling the environment's capacity to absorb impacts.
  • Strategic planning.
• Application in Industry: A set of measures implemented within a company aimed at managing knowledge and decreasing the negative environmental impact of its services and industrial activities.
• Essential Instruments:
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
  • Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC).
  • Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Regulation and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management). These often integrate with quality standards like ISO 9000. Note: ISO 19011 provides guidelines for auditing management systems.

Understanding Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

• Definition: The part of an organization's overall management system that includes the structure, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, and resources needed to develop, implement, achieve, review, and maintain the environmental policy.
• Characteristics: An effective EMS should be complete, comprehensive, and open.
• Primary Objectives:
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental legislation.
  • Establish and communicate policies and procedures to achieve environmental objectives.
  • Identify, interpret, evaluate, and prevent the environmental effects of the organization's activities.
  • Allocate appropriate resources and define staff qualifications based on environmental risks and objectives.
  • Provide public information on the organization's environmental performance.

Key Considerations for an EMS

1. Identify, consider, and document all activities of the organization.
2. Clearly define the responsibilities of each person.
3. Designate a management representative to resolve any problems that may arise.
4. Define the interplay between different activities.
5. Identify problems and risks to implement preventive or corrective measures.

Implementation Stages (PDCA Cycle)

1. Planning (Plan)

• Define the environmental policy, objectives, targets, and the environmental management program.
• Identify and ensure compliance with legal and other requirements.
• Identify significant environmental impacts.