ISO 14000

TQM ASSIGNMENT-1
KATHIRVEL S - 215110098

Contents 1 ISO14000 Introduction .................................................................................................... 2 2 3 4 5 History of Development ..................................................................................................... 3 Why have these Standards? ............................................................................................... 3 ISO 14000 family ................................................................................................................. 4 Environmental Management Systems ............................................................................... 6
5.1 5.2 5.3 What can be achieved? ........................................................................................................... 7 Framework for EMS (Plan-Do-Check-Act) ............................................................................... 8 Implementation in SMEs ........................................................................................................ 9 Reasons for not implementing EMS by SMEs ................................................................ 9 How should an SME go aboutimplementing?................................................................. 9

5.3.1 5.3.2 5.4

Case Study ............................................................................................................................. 11

6 7

The Kids' ISO 14000 Programme ...................................................................................... 16 Benefits of ISO 14000 ....................................................................................................... 16
7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Operational Benefits ............................................................................................................. 16 Environmental Benefits......................................................................................................... 17 Marketing Benefits................................................................................................................ 17 Financial Benefits .................................................................................................................. 17 Regulatory Compliance ......................................................................................................... 17 Social ..................................................................................................................................... 17

8 9

Disadvantages ................................................................................................................... 18 References ........................................................................................................................ 19

ISO14000 INTRODUCTION

International Standards Organization published a comprehensive set of standards for environmental management. The ISO 14000 series standards apply a management systems approach to an organizations environmental issues. The ISO 14001 standard describes the verifiable core element of anorganizations environmental management system. Organizations that meet the requirements ofISO 14001 can be certified, thereby earning the right publicize their operations as meeting theinternational standard for an environmental management system. Other standards in the ISO14001 series provide guidance on specific aspects of environmental management. The ISO 14001 standard applies the management systems concepts of total quality management to the management of an organizations environmental issue. As in the case of ISO 9000, itdoes not specify a level of environmental performance rather it describes the elements of amanagement system that can be expected to deliver continually improving performance. ISO 14000 is similar to ISO 9000 quality management in that both pertain to the process of how a product is produced, rather than to the product itself. As with ISO 9000, certification is performed by third-party organizations rather than being awarded by ISO directly This means what the organization does to: Minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities, Achieve continual improvement of its environmental performance. It canhelp both public and private organizations in: Managing their interactions with the environment in a more effective, systematic manner Saving money and staff time required to manage their environmental affairs Relating effectively to their neighboring communities and other stakeholders Improving their image among their customers and stakeholders Engaging in a process of continuous learning

HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT The ISO 14000 series emerged primarily as a result of the Uruguay round of the GATT negotiations and the Rio Summit on the Environment held in 1992. While GATT concentrates on the need to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade, the Rio Summit generated a commitment to protection of the environment across the world. The environmental field has seen a steady growth of national and regional standards. The British Standards Institution has BS 7750, the Canadian Standards Association has environmental management, auditing, eco-labeling and other standards, the European Union has all of these plus the eco-management and audit regulations, and many other countries (e.g. USA, Germany and Japan) have introduced eco-labeling programs. After the rapid acceptance of ISO 9000, and the increase of environmental standards around the world, ISO assessed the need for international environmental management standards. They formed the Strategic Advisory Group on the Environment (SAGE) in 1991, to consider whether such standards could serve to: Promote a common approach to environmental management similar to quality management Enhance organizations' ability to attain and measure improvements in environmental performance Facilitate trade and remove trade barriers

In 1992, SAGE's recommendations created a new committee, TC 207, for international environmental management standards. The committee and its subcommittees include representatives from industry, standards organizations, government and environmental organizations from many countries. The new series of ISO14000 standards are designed to cover various aspects of environmental issues 3 WHY HAVE THESE STANDARDS? A set of international standards brings a world-wide focus to the environment, encouraging a cleaner, safer, healthier world for us all. The existence of the standards allows organizations to focus environmental efforts against an internationally accepted criterion. At present many countries and regional groupings are generating their own requirements for environmental issues and these vary between the groups. A single standard will ensure that there are no conflicts between regional interpretations of good environmental practice. The fact that companies may need environmental management certification to compete in the global marketplace could easily overshadow all ethical reasons for environmental management. Within Europe, many organizations gained ISO9000 Registration primarily to meet growing demands from customers. ISO 9000 quality registration has become necessary to do business in many areas of commerce. Similarly, the ISO 14000 management system registration may become the primary requirement for doing business in many regions or industries.

ISO 14000 FAMILY The ISO established Technical Committee (TC) 207 in 1993 to develop the ISO 14000 seriesenvironmental standards. ISO member countries have their own corresponding technicalcommittees through which industry; the public, academia, and government agencies provideinput. The ISO 14000 series fall into two main categories: (1) organizational management systemStandards, and (2) product-related standards. Only one of these standards provides forcertification - ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System specification). Briefly stated, the ISO 14000 series covers the following areas:

Environmental Management Systems (14001, 14002, 14004) Environmental Auditing (14010, 14011, 14012) Evaluation of Environmental Performance (14031) Environmental Labeling (14020, 14021, 14022, 14023, 14024, 14025) Life-Cycle Assessment (14040, 14041, 14042, 14043)
Title Environmental management systems Requirements with guidance for use ISO Abstract ISO 14001:2004 specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria. ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to any organization that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system. ISO 14004:2004 provides guidance on the establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of an environmental management system and its coordination with other management systems. The guidelines in ISO 14004:2004 are applicable to any organization, regardless of its size, type, location or level of maturity. While the guidelines in ISO 14004:2004 are consistent with the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system model, they are not intended to provide interpretations of the requirements of ISO 14001:2004. This International Standard establishes guiding principles for the development and use of environmental labels and declarations. It is intended that other applicable

Standard Number ISO 14001:2004

ISO 14004:2004

Environmental management systems General guidelines on principles, systems and support techniques

ISO 14020:2000

Environmental labels and declarations

General principles

ISO 14021:1999

ISO 14024:1999

ISO 14025:2006

Environmental labels and declarations Selfdeclared environmental claims Environmental labels and declarations Type I environmental labelling -- Principles and procedures Environmental labels and declarations Type III environmental declarations -Principles and procedures

standards in the ISO 14020 series be used in conjunction with this International Standard. This International Standard is not intended for use as a specification for certification and registration purposes. Provides guidance on the terminology, symbols, testing and verification methodologies that an organization should use for self-declaration of the environmental aspects of its products and services"

Provides guidance on the terminology, symbols, testing and verification methodologies that an organization should use for self-declaration of the environmental aspects of its products and services.

ISO 140031:1999

Environmental management -Environmental performance evaluation Guidelines Environmental management Life cycle assessment Principles and framework

ISO 14025:2006 establishes the principles and specifies the procedures for developing Type III environmental declaration programmes and Type III environmental declarations. It specifically establishes the use of the ISO 14040 series of standards in the development of Type III environmental declaration programmes and Type III environmental declarations. ISO 14025:2006 establishes principles for the use of environmental information, in addition to those given in ISO 14020:2000 Type III environmental declarations as described in ISO 14025:2006 are primarily intended for use in business-to-business communication, but their use in business-to-consumer communication under certain conditions is not precluded. Provides guidance on the design and use of environmental performance evaluation, and on identification and selection of environmental performance indicators, for use by all organizations, regardless of type, size, location and complexity

ISO 14040:2006

ISO 14040:2006 describes the principles and framework for life cycle assessment (LCA) including: definition of the goal and scope of the LCA, the life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) phase, the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase, the life cycle interpretation phase, reporting and critical review of the LCA, limitations of the LCA, the relationship between the LCA phases, and conditions for use of value choices and optional elements. ISO 14040:2006 covers life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and life cycle inventory (LCI) studies. It does not describe the LCA technique in detail, nor does it specify methodologies for the individual phases of the LCA. The intended application of LCA or LCI results is considered during definition of the goal and scope, but

ISO 14043

Guidance

the application itself is outside the scope of this International Standard. Provides guidance on the interpretation of Life Cycle Assessment results in relation to the goal definition phase of the Life Cycle Assessment study, involving review of the scope of the Life Cycle Assessment, as well as the nature and quality of the data collected

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

That part of the overall management system which includes organization structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy
An environmental management system (EMS) is a systematic approach for managing an Organizations environmental issues and opportunities. Good or even best practices alone donot make an EMS. The essential characteristic of an EMS is that its various components interactto provide measurable information enabling continual improvements. The systems approachmeans that processes are stable and repeatable, yield more predictable outcomes and adapt newlearning to continuous improvement. The key systems components of an EMS are: An Environmental Policy Statement actively promoted by senior management A Planning Process oriented toward integration of environmental with the organizations business and operations management An Organizational Structure, responsibilities and accountability Implementation Systems and Operational Controls Measurement and auditing systems Systems for periodic Top Management Review of the EMS ISO 14004:2004 provides guidelines on the elements of an environmental management system and its implementation, and discusses principal issues involved. ISO 14001:2004specifies the requirementsfor such an environmental management system. Fulfilling these requirements demands objective evidence which can be audited to demonstrate that the environmental management system is operating effectively in conformity to the standard. ISO 14001 is the only standard intended for registration by third parties. All the others are for guidance. ISO 14001 is a management standard, it is not a performance or product standard. The underlying purpose of ISO 14001 is that companies will improve their environmental performance by implementing ISO 14001, but there are no standards for

performance or the level of improvement. It is a process for managing company activities that impact the environment. Some unique and important characteristics of ISO 14001 are: Comprehensive: all members of the organization participate in environmental protection, the EMS considers all stakeholders, and there are processes to identify all environmental impacts. Proactive: it focuses on forward thinking and action instead of reacting to command and control policies. Systems approach: it stresses improving environmental protection by using a single environmental management system across all functions of the organization.

5.1 What can be achieved?

ISO 14001:2004 is a tool that can be used to meet internal objectives: Provide assurance to management that it is in control of the organizational processes and activities having an impact on the environment Assure employees that they are working for an environmentally responsible organization. ISO 14001:2004 can also be used to meet external objectives: Provide assurance on environmental issues to external stakeholders such as customers, the community and regulatory agencies Comply with environmental regulations Support the organization's claims and communication about its own environmental policies, plans and actions Provides a framework for demonstrating conformity via suppliers' declarations of conformity, assessment of conformity by an external stakeholder - such as a business client - and for certification of conformity by an independent certification body.

5.2 Framework for EMS (Plan-Do-Check-Act)

The EMS framework has five majorsections which are organized along the Plan, Do, Check, Act model commonly associated withTotal Quality Management.

Environmental Policy

Planning Process
Components: 1. Identification of the Municipalitys or Facilitys Environmental Aspects 2. Procedures to Identify Applicable Environmental Regulatory Requirements andVoluntary Codes and Principles to Which the Municipality or Facility Subscribes 3. Setting Environmental Objectives and Targets 4.Environmental Management Programs for Objectives and Targets

EMS Implementation and Operation

Components: 1. Organizational Structure and Responsibilities 2. Operational Controls 3. Training, Awareness, and Competence 4. Communication 5. EMS Documentation 6. Document Control 7. Emergency Preparedness and Response

Checking and Corrective Action

Actions: 1. Monitoring and Measurement 2. Non-Conformance, Corrective, and Preventive Action 3. Records 4. EMS Audit

EMS Management Review

5.3 Implementation in SMEs Small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) play a key role in theeconomies of most countriesaround the world, making importantcontributions to economic growth andemploying significant numbers of people. Collectively SMEs cause significantimpacts on the environment by their activities, productsand services 5.3.1 Reasons for not implementing EMS by SMEs Lack of awareness and/or denial that they cause significant environmental impacts; Resource constraints (including financial, time and personnel); Lack of incentives; Inappropriate tools and techniques and a lack of skills, and Lack of guidance and support on how to implement an EMS that would meet the requirements of ISO 14001 and the European Unions Eco- Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

5.3.2 How should an SME go aboutimplementing? Getting and maintaining management commitment Involve people at all stages of implementation in understanding and identifying opportunities to drive the EMS forward Create an implementation team, which requires time and effort from key members of staff It will be easier if one canunderstand and demonstrate to othersthe benefits for ones organization. Start by considering the drivers that could influence organization to establishan EMS. These could be:

Cost savings Risk management Marketing opportunities Interested parties

The baseline assessment Making any assumptions about where onecanstart easily make the rest of the journey a fraught nightmare. This is as true of EMS implementation projects as it is of anything else in life. For that reason, it is worth carrying out a thorough, ground clearing baseline assessment of your existing management practice and environmental performance. Many companies are surprised at how much they already have in place though it may not always carry the label environment and others get to know how much more they have to do than originally anticipated.

Developing a draft environmental policy The environmental policy is what really drives the whole of ones EMS, and when finalized, it becomes a publicly available declaration of your intentions and commitment to improving your environmental performance. At this stage of EMS implementation, however, a draft policy simply helps to provide a focus for the further development of ones EMS, and the document does not have to be seen by anyone outside the organization. Developing environmental indicators Measuring something is not a replacement for managing it, but without getting some form of reliable feedback through units of measurement, tackling environmental issues can be a formless task that becomes difficult to justify in terms of time spent. Just as with all other areas of ones business, performance data and indicators help keep everyones eye on the ball, make sure that ones efforts are contributing to the core of the business and can help when it comes to reporting internally and externally on environmental matters. Policy already commits the company to continual improvement in environmental performance, so Environmental Performance Indicators (EPI), though not a strict requirement of ISO 14001, can maintain the business relevance of ones EMS. Identify key environmental costs and benefits to the organization (e.g. waste, energy use, water use, other raw material use). Identify any other key concerns to the organization or key interested parties (e.g. potential prosecutions, topics of complaint, and areas of bad publicity). Develop measures of performance that are achievable (or already in use), and that accurately reflect the area of concern (e.g. litres of water used, tonnes of waste sent to landfill, kWh of electricity used, tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted). Correspond this with levels of activity (e.g. tonnes of production, km travelled, hours worked) where appropriate to provide comparable figures for the future.

5.4 Case Study

Building an Environmental Management System: H-R Industries' Experience
This bulletin highlights the following pollution Prevention Work Practices:

Do You Need an EMS? First Steps in Creating and EMS Links Between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 The H-R Industries Experience 1. Environmental Policy 2. Criteria-Planning 3. Implementation and Operation 4. Checking and Corrective Action 5. Management Review Lessons Learned About the EMS Process Acknowledgements

Creating an environmental management system (EMS) might seem like an overwhelming task, especially for a small or medium-sized company, but many of the elements needed for an EMS may already be in place at your facility. Such elements as your procedures to track environmental compliance or your state-required pollution prevention plans can be used directly to give you a significant head start for developing your EMS. Many printed wiring board (PWB) manufacturers are paying particular attention to EMSs, since they are the basis of ISO 14001 certification. One company, H-R Industries, found that their existing ISO 9000 Quality Management System gave them a significant advantage in ISO 14000 certification. H-R Industries became the first PWB manufacturer in the U.S. to obtain ISO 14001 certification. The company was established in 1976 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of McDonald Technologies, Inc. With approximately 300 employees at facilities in Richardson and Bonham, Texas, the company produces a wide range of multilayer boards. 5.4.1 Do You Need an EMS? As companies strive to improve their management of environmental issues and increase profits at the same time, many have found that an EMS can do more than improve their environmental performance - it can help them meet their business goals too. By providing a systematic way to review and improve operations for better environmental performance, and EMS can help a company use materials more efficiently and streamline operations. Other benefits of establishing an EMS have included: Companies that have implemented EMSs have experienced benefits such as: 1. better environmental performance 2. cost savings in operations 3. increased efficiency of operations

4. lower insurance costs 5. improved public relations Even companies not pursuing certification are using the ISO 14001 model for their EMSs because it is quickly becoming the industry standard for environmental management. By basing your EMS on the SO framework, you can go on to apply for certification under ISO 14001, if it makes sense for your company. Any company can reap the benefits of an EMS, whether or not the company plans to obtain ISO certification. 5.4.2 First Steps in Creating an EMS Getting management buy-in and assessing your current practices up-front will save you a lot of time when developing your EMS. Gain management commitment. Upper management can demonstrate their commitment by playing an active, visible role in the EMS implementation process, providing funding and allocating resources, and promoting employee awareness and motivation. An EMS should be viewed as a tool to achieve continuous environmental improvement, rather than daily "fire fighting" just to keep up with regulatory requirements. Review your current environmental programs. Once you have management commitment, the next step is to conduct and document a preliminary review of your companys current environmental programs and management systems. The process includes reviewing your existing environmental management policies, operating procedures, and training programs as well as your methods for identifying your regulatory requirements. Determine what's missing. Next you need to evaluate how closely existing procedures conform to requirements of an ISO 14001 EMS. Such a "gap analysis" identifies the actions necessary to build your EMS. Too do this; you'll need to compare your existing procedures to the five main stages of an ISO 14001 EMS. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Environmental Policy Planning Implementing and Operation Checking and Corrective Action Management Review

Repeating these five steps forms a cycle of continuous EMS improvement, with the overall goal of improving environmental performance. 5.4.3 Links between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 If your company is ISO 9000 registered, the gap analysis may reveal that many of the materials already prepared for your quality system will be helpful in developing your EMS. This is because ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 use similar management frameworks. The ISO 9001

standard is used for comparison in this case study because it is the most comprehensive of the ISO 9000 series of standards. Most of these comparisons are also applicable to facilities registered under ISO 9002. The most direct linkages with ISO 9001 occur within three phases of the EMS: Implantation and Operation, Checking and Corrective Action, and Management Review. The elements addressed within these phases such as organizational structure and responsibility, training, documents, have direct parallels within the ISO 9001 system. In some cases, however, there is no direct link between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. 5.4.4 The H-R Industries Experience H-R Industries has been active in reducing the environmental impact of its operations in past years through changes such as using glycol-free strippers and aqueous solder masks. The company viewed the creation of a formal EMS and ISO 14001 certification as a way to achieve discipline in its environmental programs, incorporate environmental responsibility into all job descriptions, demonstrate industry leadership, and gain a marketing advantage. When in-house staff at H-R Industries conducted a gap analysis, they found that they would be able to borrow significantly from their ISO 9002 Quality Management System. The overlap included using the same forms and stamps to indicate document approval, and using the same procedures and personnel for documentation control. In general, the company used the same documentation system for writing EMS policies and procedures as it had for its quality program, Specific examples of how H-R Industries used its quality system to develop several EMS elements are described below: Environmental Policy H-R Industries modified its Quality Policy to include its environmental policy. The policy was enlarged to poster-size, signed by all employees, and posted as a reminder of the company's commitment. Planning A key element of an effective EMS is identifying the environmental aspects of your company's activities, products, and services, and determining which aspects have significant impacts on the environment. These "significant aspects" form the basis for setting your environmental objectives. Although there is no parallel element in ISO 9002, H-R Industries extended its ISO 9002 purchasing policy to address potential environmental impacts by making suppliers and contractors aware of the environmental aspects associated with their products. For example, the formality of an EMS provided the incentive to work with a chemical supplier to convert their permanganate bath maintenance procedure. Sodium hypochlorite additions were replaced by permanent electrodes in the solution for electro regeneration, extending bath life 2 to 3 times. This change resulted in reductions in hazardous waste generation material handling reporting, and recordkeeping, Annual savings totalled over $32,500.

Implementation and operation Essential to both quality and environmental management systems is the assignment of responsibility, authority, and adequate resources. To make the most of limited resources, H-R Industries assigned the same individuals responsibility for both quality and EMS elements where there was overlap. For example, the Safety/Health Officer provides training required by ISO 9002 and ISO 9001. Documentation and records for the Quality and Environmental Management Systems are controlled and maintained by the same individual. Checking and Corrective H-R Industries transferred its ISO 9002 procedures for making corrective requests directly to its EMS. The EMS Manual simply refers to the Corrective Action Request form already in use for quality. For example, such a form might be used for a tanks leak. Similarly, H-R Industries incorporated the records control and audit procedures established under ISO 9002 into its EMS. Management Review Management must periodically review the EMS to evaluate its suitability and effectiveness. ISO 9001 contains the same requirement. Although there is some overlap in personnel on the quality and environmental review committees at H-R Industries, the two systems are reviewed separately. The review format and control of meeting records, however, it is the same, H-R Industries feels that smaller companies may have an advantage in the review process in that the committees may be composed of the same personnel, allowing both quality and environmental systems to be reviewed at the same time. 5.4.5 Lessons Learned about the EMS process The process of developing an EMS for a small or medium-sized company need not be overwhelming. H-R Industries' experience shows that a company can use its existing environmental policies and procedures, and those developed for ISO 9002 registration, to help build an EMS that is integrated with its quality assurance program. H-R Industries' advice is to begin with simple, achievable goals, and focus in programs where there is obvious economic benefit. As our EMS matures, the procedures and programs can be expanded to further improve environmental performance and to continue integration of the EMS into other business functions. Time required developing and maintaining the EMS: The time required to implement an ISO 14001 EMS depends on the current status if your company's environmental programs, the resources your company is willing to commit, and whether your organization is ISO 9000 registered. At H-R Industries, it took about 18 months to obtain certification. During the first year it took the equivalent of one fourth of an employee's time for preliminary planning and exploring issues. The final 6 months required the time-equivalent of 1.5 employees to implement the EMS. For a company without a well-developed system, implementation may take about 2 years. At H-R

Industries, one full time employee maintains both environmental and quality systems; several other employees have EMS responsibilities requiring the time equivalent of an additional half-time employee. Certification cost: At H-R Industries, certification cost $18,000, which included preliminary and on-site audits, follow-up audit for deficiency, audit report, registration fee, and auditor time and expenses. H-R Industries saved on auditor expenses by scheduling the ISO 14001 certification audit and the ISO 9002 six-month surveillance audit at the same time and with the same firm. 5.4.6 Acknowledgements EPA's Design for the Environment Program would like to thank H-R Industries for participating in this case study, along with DfE PWB Project participants from Circuit Center, Inc., Concurrent Technologies Corp., who provided advice and guidance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Design for the Environment (DfE) Printed Wiring Board Project is a cooperative, non-regulatory effort in which EPA, industry, and other interested parties are working together to develop technical information on pollution prevention technologies specific to the PWB industry. To date, the DfE Project has focused on conducting a comprehensive evaluation of alternative technologies for making through-holes conductive. The Project is now evaluating alternatives to the hot-air-solder-levelling process. By publishing the results of these evaluations, DfE is able to provide PWB manufacturers with the information to make informed business decisions that take human health and environmental risk into consideration, in addition to performance and cost. What is the Design for the Environment (DfE)Printed Wiring Board Project? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Design for the Environment (DfE) Printed Wiring Board Project is a cooperative, non- regulatory effort in which EPA, industry, and other interested parties are working together to develop technical information on pollution prevention technologies specific to the PWB industry. In addition to this case study, the DfE PWB Project has prepared other Case studies that examine pollution Prevention opportunities for the PWB Industry. All case studies are based On the experiences and successes of Facilities in implementing pollution Prevention projects. The other case Study topics available include: Pollution Prevention Work Practices On-Site Etchant Regeneration Acid Recovery and Management Plasma Desmear Reusing Micro etchant Pollution Prevention Beyond Regulated Materials Identifying Objectives for Your Environmental Management System

THE KIDS' ISO 14000 PROGRAMME Develops environmental awareness among children and young people Teaches them to implement environmental management based on the ISO 14000 approach in their homes and communities, and Opens them to the value of networking with young people in other schools, communities and countries in order to bring the force of collective action to global environmental issues. The Kids' ISO 14000 Programme is a powerful learning tool. Here and now, it helps children to achieve measurable environmental results on their own doorsteps. For tomorrow, it forms responsible, environmentally mature citizens with a global perspective.

BENEFITS OF ISO 14000 The ISO 14000 standards are practical tools for organizations who are not satisfied with mere compliance with legislation which may be perceived as a cost of doing business. They are useful tools for proactive organizations who understand that implementing a strategic approach can bring return on investment in environment-related measures. The systematic ISO 14001:2004 approach requires the organization to take a hard look at all areas where its activities have an environmental impact. A properly designed ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) allows efficient identification of opportunities for cost savings. It can trigger procedural and/or technological changes that reduce the total cost of a product or improve its value.
Some of the benefits of implementing an ISO 14000 Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the ISO 14000 standards include:

7.1 Operational Benefits

Efficiency, discipline and operational integration with ISO 9000 Greater employee involvement in business operations with a more motivated workforce Easier to obtain operational permits and authorizations Assists in developing and transferring technology within the company Helps reduce pollution Fewer operating costs Savings from safer workplace conditions Reduction of costs associated with emissions, discharges, waste handling, transport & disposal Improvements in the product as a result of process changes Safer products

7.2 Environmental Benefits

Minimizes hazardous and non-hazardous waste Conserves natural resources - electricity, gas, space and water with resultant cost savings Prevents pollution and reduces wastage

7.3 Marketing Benefits

Demonstrates to customers that the firm has met environmental expectations Meets potential national and international government purchasing requirements Delivers profits from marketing "green" products Provides a competitive marketing tool Improves international competitiveness

7.4 Financial Benefits

Improves the organizations relationship with insurance companies Elimination of costs associated with conformance to conflicting national standards Process cost savings by reduction of material and energy input Satisfying investor / shareholder criteria Helps reduce liability and risk Improved access to capital

7.5 Regulatory Compliance

ISO 14000 requires evidence of working processes to maintain compliance with laws and regulations. These processes can help companies identify where they are out of compliance and take action. Regulators may favor organizations with a ISO 14000 registered EMS. Improved compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements could reduce penalties and redemption costs. An ISO 14000 EMS demonstrates to regulatory agencies that the organization is proactive about reducing pollution and committed to continual improvement.

7.6 Social
ISO 14000 helps create: A common language and way of thinking about environmental aspects which can help companies, communities, governments, and organizations communicate and work together. Cleaner air, waters, and soils. Longer resource life through reduced usage. Progress toward a sustainable culture. Less waste in land fills.

8 DISADVANTAGES Some of the negative aspects and potential disadvantages of the ISO 14001 EMS include the following: 1. It is a procedural as opposed to performance standard; therefore, by itself EMS does not guarantee performance orcompliance. 14001 merely describes a process which should lead towards improved performance and compliance with environmental regulations. 2. There are differences in the definitions of pollution prevention in ISO 14001 and the Pollution Prevention Act. The Pollution Prevention Act defines pollution prevention as source reduction with recycling and treatment as less desirable end-of-pipe alternatives whereas ISO considers recycling and treatment as pollution prevention.9 The implications of this difference are that any entity adhering to ISO 14001 must be mindful of the differences between the regulations to which it is subject and the ISO guidelines, and address them. 3. There is a dearth of information on results of ISO implementation. On the other hand, this can be an advantage in that the facility that adopts this EMS can be ahead of the game and become a trendsetter. 4. There is risk in adopting the standards because they may not be accepted as widely as expected in the United States; however, acceptance is highly probable because of the standards popularity overseas. The work and time invested in the ISO process should yield information easily transferable to all reports that are required by regulatory or other bodies requesting documentation of environmental impacts. 5. The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, a U.S. organization with members from various governmental agencies within the 10 EPA regions, expresses the sentiment of many in the environmental community that industry developed the standard without sufficient input from the environmental community and public interest organizations. 6. Although the standard directs an organization to make environmental policy available to the public, the National Polution Prevention Roundtable found that the standard does not require sufficient public disclosure of a firms environmental impacts.

REFERENCES 1. ISO 14000 family of standards; Created by Lorne Duquette, 2009 2. The Big Picture about Environmental Management Systems by Lawrence D. Fredendall; Department of Management, Clemson University 3. To building an EMS by John Sedlak; Smithers Quality Assessments; published on: June 20, 2005 4. Taking the first step in environmental management by MARTIN BAXTER; ISO Management Systems July-August 2004 5. Environmental Management Systems: The ISO 14001 Approaches by Julie Woosley; EMS Development Course for Government Agencies 6. www.iso.org 7. www.trst.com 8. www.smithersregistrar.com 9. http://www.quality.co.uk/iso14000.htm 10. http://www.kcg.com.sg/benefits-iso14000.html