ISO 14001:2015 pdf free download.Environmental management systems-Requirements with guidance for use.
Introduction
0.1 Background
Achieving a balance between the environment, society and the economy is considered essential to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable development as a goal is achieved by balancing the three pillars of sustainability.
Societal expectations for sustainable development, transparency and accountability have evolved with increasingly stringent legislation, growing pressures on the environment from pollution, inefficient use of resources, improper waste management, climate change, degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
This has led organizations to adopt a systematic approach to environmental management by Implementing environmental management systems with the aim of contributing to the environmental pillar olsustalnability.
0.2 Aim of an environmental management system
The purpose of ISO 14001 Is to provide organizations with a framework to protect the environment and respond to changing environmental conditions In balance with socloeconomic needs. It specIfies requirements that enable an organization to achieve the intended outcomes It sets for Its environmental management system.
A systematic approach to environmental management can provide top management with information to build success over the long term and create options for contributing to sustainable development by:
— protecting the environment by preventing or mitigating adverse environmental impacts;
— mitigating the potential adverse effect of environmental conditions on the organization;
— assisting the organization In the fulfilment of compliance obligations;
— enhancing environmental performance;
— controlling or influencing the way the organization’s products and services are designed, manufactured, distributed, consumed and disposed by using a life cycle perspective that can prevent environmental impacts from being unintentionally shifted elsewhere within the life cycle;
— achieving financial and operational benefits that can result from implementing environmentally sound alternatives that strengthen the organization’s market position;
— communicating environmental information to relevant interested parties.
ISO 14001, like other International Standards, is not intended to increase or change an organization’s legal requirements.
0.3 Success factors
The success of an environmental management system depends on commitment from all levels and functions of the organization, led by top management. Organizations can leverage opportunities to prevent or mitigate adverse environmental impacts and enhance beneficial environmental impacts, particularly those with strategic and competitive implications. Top management can effectively address Its risks and opportunities by integrating environmental management Into the organization’s business processes. strategic direction and decision making, aligning them with other business priorities, and Incorporating environmental governance into Its overall management system Demonstration of successful implementation of ISO 14001 can be used to assure Interested parties that an effective environmental management system is in place.
Adoption of this International Standard, however, will not in itself guarantee optimal environmental outcomes. Application of this International Standard can differ from one organization to another
ISO 14001 does not include requirements specific to other management systems, such
as those for quality, occupational health and safety, energy or financial management. However, this
International Standard enables an organization to use a common approach and risk-based thinking to
Integrate Its environmental management system with the requirements of other management systems.
ISO 14001 contains the requirements used to assess conformity. An organization that wishes to demonstrate conformity with ISO 14001 can do so by:
— making a self-determination and sell-declaration, or
— seeking confirmation of Its conformance by parties having an interest In the organization, such as customers, or
— seeking confirmation of Its sell-declaration by a party external to the organization, or
— seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.
Annex A provides explanatory information to prevent misinterpretation of the requirements of this International Standard. Annex Ii shows broad technical correspondence between the previous edition of this International Standard and this edition. Implementation guidance on environmental management systems is included in ISO 14004.
In ISO 14001, the following verbal forms are used:
— shall’ indicates a requirement;
— “should” indicates a recommendation;
— may indicates a permission;
— can indicates a possibility or a capability.
Information marked as “NOTE’ is intended to assist the understanding or use of the document. “Notes to entry used in Clause 3 provide additional Information that supplements the terminological data and can contain provisions relating to the use of a term.
The terms and definitions in Clause 3 are arranged in conceptual order, with an alphabetical index provided at the end of the document.
Once the scope is deFined, all activities, products 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.
4.4 Environmental management system
To achieve the intended outcomes, including enhancing its environmental performance, the organization shall establish, implement, maintain and continually improve an environmental management system. including the processes needed and their interactions, In accordance with the requirements of this International Standard.
The organization shall consider the knowledge gained in 4.1 and 4.2 when establishing and maintaining the environmental management system.
5 Leadership
5.1 Leadership and commitment
Top management shall demonstrate leadership and commitment with respect to the environmental management system by:
a) taking accountability for the effectiveness of the environmental management system;
b) ensuring that the environmental policy and environmental objectives are established and are compatible with the strategic direction and the context of the organization;
c) ensuring the integration of the environmental management system requirements into the organization’s business processes;
d) ensuring that the resources needed for the environmental management system are available;
e) communicating the importance of effective environmental management and of conforming to the environ mental management system requirements;
f) ensuring that the environmental management system achieves its intended outcomes;
d) review the effectiveness of any corrective action taken:
e) make changes to the environmental management system, if necessary.
Corrective actions shall be appropriate to the significance of the effects of the nonconformities encountered, including the environmental impact(s).
The organization shall retain documented information as evidence of:
— the nature of the nonconformitles and any subsequent actions taken;
— the results of any corrective action.
10.3 Continual improvement
The organization shall continually Improve the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.