Many companies have been faced with customer mandates to become certified to ISO 14001. Specifically, Tier I suppliers to the automotive industry have been mandated to become ISO 14001 certified.
Many of these companies are wrenching with the presumed capital expenditure and costs associated with resource involvement of personnel. Are there any tangible merits associated with such a system?
First of all, let's understand what ISO 14001 is. I once read a Dilbert column where he asks the Boss the difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. The Boss responds "5000!" Well that's not quite right. Where ISO 9001:2000 subscribes to a Business/Quality System philosophy, ISO 14001 harmonizes this philosophy into an Environmental Management System (EMS). In both cases, there are opportunities for monetary gains to the "bottom-line". If we deploy either system just because the customer demands it, we are missing the boat!
Top Management needs to be aware that understanding the everyday events that unfold in the workplace, either planned or unplanned, are part of conducting business. Therefore, enhancing and improving all business processes is directly attributable to cost savings and, more important, employee involvement/empowerment.
At first blush then, the reasons for embarking on a 14001 EMS journey would be as follows:
- Cost Savings
- Customer demands as a requirement for doing business
- Improvement of environmental performance
- Achieving operational efficiencies
- Legal requirements
- Structured approach to environmental management
- Employee awareness and communication
- Promote sound environmental management throughout the supply chain
- Improve competitiveness
The initial step in implementing an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is to understand the standard. Additionally, if a company has already been certified to any ISO Quality Management System (9001:2000; ISO/TS 16949:2002; AS 9100), dovetailing the existing elements and current procedures is recommended.
For example, some common or overlapping requirements of both systems are:
- Management Review
- Internal Audits
- Corrective and Preventive Action
- Training
- Records
- Document Control
- Nonconformance
- Structure and Responsibility
These similarities can ease the documentation and training required for the implementation process.
At this point, let's go back and examine some of the benefits that we discussed, and one might achieve.
Several examples of cost savings, which come to mind, are:
- Reduction in effluent and/or raw materials
- Effective waste consolidation/segregation
- Reduction in energy usage/cost (especially if you live in California!)
- Re-useable containers/liners
- Re-cycling
Besides cost savings, if we adopt and implement all the requirements of ISO 14001, won't we become good stewards of the environment? Won't this decision affect our neighbors, our families, and communities, our country and, ultimately, our world?
The main focus on any organization is to understand and develop a listing of its Aspects and Impacts and Objectives and Targets. This can only be accomplished by having a team of subject experts who can thoroughly evaluate the current process and find the aspects and impacts associated with process activities. Just think of it as the old Cause and Effect diagram.
For example, if one were operating a Lawn Service, what types of activities would one expect to encounter? After defining these activities, let's review what aspects (cause) of those activities would render detrimental and/or positive impacts (effects) on the environment under actions such as, air/water/soil contamination, waste management, depletion of natural resources, local/state/federal regulations, and concerns of employees, neighbors, stockholders, etc.
Let's review a sample of what might be listed under Lawn Service:
| Activity |
Aspect (Cause) |
Impact (Effect) |
| Receipt, storage, and loading of chemicals |
Chemical spills |
Waste management/ Legal regulations (Permits, manifests, etc.) |
| Delivery to clients (transportation) |
Fuel for truck (gasoline) |
Depletion of natural resources/ Air pollution |
| Application |
Spreading of lawn chemicals (pesticides) |
Ground/ Water system/ Air pollution |
| |
Spreading of lawn chemicals (pesticides) |
Concern of neighbors with pets (walking the dog) |
Once Aspects and Impacts have been established, the group begins to assess which of these aspects represents the most significance and plan Objectives and Targets in order to mitigate these aspects and impacts over time. The team will establish a plan with milestones and action items for each of the significant aspects. The plans must be measurable with specific goals in mind to be achieved. When setting Objectives and Targets, one must consider associated costs. Begin with realistic goals in mind that can be accomplished. Remember, success breeds success.
Let's review a sample of an Objective and Target that might be listed under Lawn Service:
Objective: Reduce pesticide usage 20% by 2004
| Action Item |
Description |
Responsibility |
Target Complete Date |
Actual Complete Date |
Measure |
| 1 |
Research types of "natural" (organic) insecticides |
John Doe |
8/1/2002 |
|
Final Report |
| 2 |
Investigate current usage of pesticides |
John Doe |
8/1/2002 |
|
Gallons pesticide used per month |
| 3 |
Cost comparison between natural vs. organic |
Larry Doe |
8/1/2002 |
|
Final report |
| 4 |
Research customer base for concurrence |
Susan Doe |
10/1/2002 |
|
|
| 5 |
Begin integrating usage |
Drivers |
1/2/2003 |
|
Gallons pesticide used per month |
The key to success is Continual Improvement. Now, get started!
