ISO 14001:2015 Environmental

These are the steps that we will guide you through towards establishing an EMS and ISO 14001:2015 certification for your organization

Step 1: Understand the requirements.

• Familiarize with ISO 14001: Understand the core requirements and clauses of ISO 14001:2015, which outlines how to build and maintain an effective EMS. Key areas include environmental policies, legal compliance, risk assessment, and continual improvement.
• Training: We will ensure that key personnel, including senior management and the environmental team, are trained in ISO 14001:2015 principles and the standard’s requirements.

Step 2: Obtain Top Management Commitment.

• Engage Leadership: Management must demonstrate leadership and commitment by providing the necessary resources (time, budget, personnel) to implement and maintain the EMS.
• Environmental Policy: We will guide you in developing a company-wide environmental policy that reflects the organization’s commitment to preventing pollution, complying with legal requirements, and continually improving environmental performance.

Step 3: Conduct an Initial Environmental Review (Gap Analysis).

• Assess Current Environmental Performance: We will perform an initial environmental review (also called a gap analysis) to assess your organization’s current environmental practices, processes, and performance against the requirements of ISO 14001:2015.
• Identify Significant Environmental Aspects: We will determine the environmental aspects and impacts associated with your operations (e.g., energy use, waste management, emissions, resource consumption).
• Develop a Plan: Based on the gap analysis, we will  develop an implementation plan to address the shortcomings and bring your organization in line with ISO 14001:2015 requirements.

Step 4: Define Scope of the EMS.

• Scope Definition: Clearly define the boundaries and scope of the EMS, specifying what parts of your organization will be covered. The scope can include entire sites, specific processes, or particular departments.

Step 5: Develop an Environmental Management System (EMS):

• Environmental Aspects Identification: Identify and evaluate the environmental aspects of your organization’s activities, products, and services. This includes understanding their environmental impact (positive or negative).
• Legal and Compliance Obligations: Identify applicable environmental laws, regulations, and compliance obligations, and integrate them into your EMS.
• Objectives and Targets: Set environmental objectives and measurable targets that align with the organization’s environmental policy and goals.
• Document Processes and Procedures: Create the necessary documentation (manuals, procedures, work instructions) to ensure environmental management processes are clearly defined, implemented, and monitored.

Step 6: Implement the EMS:

• Communication and Awareness: Train employees at all levels on their roles in the EMS and the importance of environmental management. Communication should ensure that employees understand how their actions impact the environment.
• Operational Controls: Implement operational controls to manage significant environmental aspects and meet legal requirements. This could include procedures for handling waste, reducing emissions, and optimizing energy use.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Develop procedures to respond to potential environmental emergencies, such as spills or leaks.

Step 7: Monitor and Measure Performance:

• Environmental Monitoring: Regularly monitor and measure environmental performance against the established objectives and targets. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be used to track progress.
• Compliance Evaluation: Periodically evaluate compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Record Keeping: Maintain records of monitoring results, audits, training, and compliance evaluations.

Step 8: Conduct Internal Audits:

• Internal Audits: We will conduct internal audits to ensure the EMS is functioning as intended and meeting the ISO 14001:2015 requirements. Audits help identify gaps, non-conformities, and opportunities for improvement.
• Corrective Actions: We will then address any non-conformities or gaps identified in the internal audit by implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Step 9: Management Review:

• Management Review: We will guide top management on how to  review the performance of the EMS at regular intervals. This review should cover audit results, environmental performance, compliance with legal requirements, and the achievement of environmental objectives.
• Decisions for Improvement: Management reviews should lead to decisions on improving the EMS, updating policies, and revising environmental objectives as necessary.

Step 10: Certification Body:

• We have an accredited certification body that we liaise with (also known as a registrar) that will conduct the certification audit.
• We will ensure that your EMS is fully operational, your documentation is complete, and corrective actions have been taken before the external audit.

Step 11: Certification Audit

• Stage 1 Audit (Documentation Review): The certification body will review your EMS documentation to ensure it meets the ISO 14001:2015 standard. This includes reviewing your environmental policy, procedures, legal compliance, and internal audits.
• Stage 2 Audit (On-Site Audit): The certification body conducts an on-site audit to evaluate the actual implementation and effectiveness of your EMS. Auditors will assess how well your organization manages its environmental aspects and complies with legal requirements.

  We will represent you throughout both stages of this process.

Step 12: Corrective Actions (If Necessary):

• Address Non-Conformities: If any non-conformities or areas for improvement are identified during the certification audit, corrective actions must be taken within an agreed timeframe. we will help your organization to address these and submit evidence of corrective actions to the certification body. The certification body will review the corrective actions to ensure they have been addressed effectively.

Step 13: Certification Granted:

• ISO 14001:2015 Certification: Once the certification body confirms that your EMS meets the requirements of ISO 14001:2015, you will receive the official certification.

Promote Certification: You can now promote your certification, demonstrating to customers, regulators, and other stakeholders that your organization is committed to environmental management.

Step 14: Ongoing Maintenance and Improvement:

• Surveillance Audits: After certification, the certification body will conduct regular surveillance audits (usually annually) to ensure that your EMS continues to meet ISO 14001:2015 requirements and that continual improvement is being pursued. Integrated Conformance Solutions Inc will be available to help your organization stay within compliance.
• Continual Improvement: Your organization must continue to monitor its environmental performance, update objectives, and take corrective actions to enhance the EMS and improve environmental performance. We can monitor your EMS on your behalf to maintain compliance.