Environmental Management System Consulting

In light of such universal acceptance for quality, it is not surprising that the other high profile, high impact aspect of business practice would also be addressed. This most recent addition to the family of international standards is ISO 14000, the globally accepted standard for environmental management systems (EMS). And, it has the potential to become just as effective as its predecessor in yielding benefits, both to those implementing the systems and those impacted by them.
 

Companies pursuing compliance to the ISO 14001 standard expect something in return - be it risk reduction, cost reduction, maintenance of business, competitive advantage, or a combination of the preceding. In today's business climate, minimizing the likelihood of environmental incidents and associated legal liabilities can be sufficient justification for implementing an EMS. In addition, however, a well-designed system creates the opportunity to generate less waste, thereby reducing disposal, insurance, and permit costs. Further, having an effective system in place can be a deciding factor when vying for customer contracts. For businesses in the automotive supply chain, an even more compelling argument exists - major global manufacturers are strongly encouraging, and even mandating, compliance to ISO 14001 by their vendors.
 

Companies that are certified to ISO 9001/9002 have options when developing their EMS programs. They may choose to create independent systems or to integrate the two. The latter choice allows firms to combine elements already in place by virtue of the quality system requirements. The management systems standards have seven common elements - document control, training, corrective action, records management, calibration, internal audits, and management review. A decision to pursue an integrated system offers potential efficiencies in the ongoing management of the programs.