The problem

Your organisation's directors have asked you to research and report to them on environmental management systems as they would like to implement one within the company.

An environmental management system (EMS) is a systematic process for the identification and management of an organisation's environmental impact. It demonstrates a commitment to improving the environmental performance of a business.
The process starts with planning, assessing legal and other environmental requirements of your business, giving objectives and targets and setting out environmental management programmes. It goes on to map out training and awareness, monitoring, measuring and taking preventive action and keeping accurate records. An EMS process follows the steps of a health and safety management process and will often form a safety, health and environment policy (SHE).

As well as reducing costs, an EMS gains public recognition for a company and helps motivate employees. It also will ensure compliance with legislative standards, which may lead to fewer statutory inspections, greater shareholder/stakeholder satisfaction and competitive advantage.

Areas to review

Waste management

• How are products packaged?
• Can packaging be reduced?
• Is packaging made from recycled materials?
• Can waste be recycled?
• Is packaging biodegradable?

Energy management

• Is energy use controlled?
• Can thermostats be turned down?
• Do machines run unnecessarily?
• Is air conditioning kept running?
• Are the correct tariffs used?
• Can waste energy be re-used via heat exchangers, for instance?
• Can solar panels be fitted?
• Is energy volume known, so that targets for reduction can be set?

Water management

• Is water use wasteful?
• Is there an a positive attitude towards conserving water?
• Are automatic filling devices correctly installed and maintained?
• Are automatic flushing devices necessary and, if so, are they set at optimum settings?
• Are hot water temperatures at optimum level?
• Can thermostatic tap valves be used?

Pollution

• What equipment discharges to atmosphere?
• What are the products of combustion?
• Does anything contribute a smell or odour nuisance?
• Are filters properly used, well maintained and effective?
• What is discharged into the drainage system?
• Is equipment too noisy?

In addition, purchase policies should be reviewed. Are recycled products used? Are suppliers aware of your environmental preferences? Do they use environmentally friendly practices? You should also establish the scale of recycling glass, paper waste, plastics, cardboard and aluminium cans.

Checklist

• Write down all the procedures you intend to follow.
• Nominate a senior person in the firm to be an EMS champion.
• Consult employees and customers about their key concerns.
• Monitor and review the policy.

Beware

Organisations can often implement a policy themselves. Accreditation under ISO 1400 does bear a cost but may be worthwhile if your customers demand it. An internal system based on ISO 1400 will be equally valid as long as it is objectively implemented.

The Law

There is a wealth of legislation on the environment but none specifically requires EMS. The Environmental Protection Act 1990, environment acts and regulations of the 1990s, EC directives and regulations all contain regulatory controls on pollution, noise, waste control and so on. The International Standard ISO 1400 is the accepted environmental management standard.

Contacts

Perry Scott Nash Group
Tel: 01438 745771
Web: www.perryscottnash.co.uk