Implementing ISO 14001 Through A Management Systems Consultant

While the term 'Environmental Management System' - or EMS - is fairly self explanatory, most organisations need a little help in understanding what is required to implement an EMS and seek accreditation.

The most globally recognised EMS is ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, which was revised as recently as 2015, to make it more user-friendly, and more applicable to current environmental issues and legislation.

Increased Range of Issues

ISO 14001:2015 covers a far wider range of environmental issues, including waste management, resource use and efficiency, air pollution, water and sewage, soil contamination, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

While making the ISO far more relevant, it also increases the need to enlist the help of a management systems consultant, so that your organisation's EMS can be tailor-made to fit your business and targets.

Prioritise Your Targets

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System offers an excellent framework and guidelines, to help you prioritise your environmental targets, monitor your progress and adapt the EMS as required.

As with any ISO management system, ISO 14001 requires you first to make a commitment, which is reflected in your policies and business practices. You must then plan and implement the EMS - a one-off event; then evaluate and review - an ongoing event.

Continual Improvement is Key

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is based on continual improvement, not only to minimise your environmental impact, but also to achieve the most benefit for your organisation and your bottom line.

In order to be successful, your EMS must be supported by everyone within your organisation, so communication is a key factor. The payback is that everyone benefits from its implementation. Achieving ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification increases customer confidence - and generally results in growing your customer base. It is also shown to boost staff moral, which leads to a more productive workforce.

When you understand how ISO 14001:2015 can reduce your costs, and boost your profits, it's easy to see why implementation is such a smart move.

Benefits Of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System

In such a competitive marketplace, the priority on most businesses' list is to secure their share of customers. And for some, it stops there. But is that enough?

Surely the aim should not only be to grow your customer base, and the  secure return business, but also to make that customer an ambassador for your business.

This can be achieved in several ways; outstanding customer service and superior products are a great start, but there's still more you can do. You have to make the customer believe in your brand. And that can be done by becoming a socially and environmentally responsible organisation.

Consumer Research

The Queensland government tells us that 'ecofriendly makes business sense', and research reveals that most consumers will pay more, or go out their way, to buy from environmentally conscious organisations.

According to the Queensland government, "promoting your environmentally friendly methods can set your business apart from your competitors and attract new customers who want to buy products and services from an environmentally friendly business".

And probably the best way to become such a business, is to adopt an ISO 14001 environmental management system.

Reduce Your Impact

Globally recognised, ISO 14001 puts the environment right at the heart of your organisation, helping to minimise your business's impact on the environment - and the climate - by reducing your use of natural resources; minimising waste and setting environmental targets.

As well as 'doing the right thing', there are huge benefits to be had, including cost savings, improved staff motivation, improved reputation, better compliance with legislation, and greater customer satisfaction.

For expert help implementing an environmental management system in Queensland, it's best to talk to the experts. While off the shelf solutions are offered online, the one-size-fits-all approach is not recommended - especially if you wish to gain ISO 14001 certification.

Accreditation entitles you to use the ISO 14001 benchmark on all your packaging and marketing materials, showing unequivocally that you have achieved that environmental status.

Why An Environmental Management System In Queensland Is Essential

What sort of business are you in? Do you manufacture or work with chemicals or pharmaceuticals? Do you work in engineering, mining or construction? The automotive industry? Food?

If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions, you absolutely should have an ISO 14001 environmental management system in place.

But guess what? If you answered 'no' to those questions, you still should have an ISO 14001 environmental management system in place!

Why? Because just like ANY organisation operating anywhere in the world, you are using resources and creating waste, in some form or another.

Using resources

Wherever you bring people together in a 'work' environment, you are using resources, through power, water, transport to get them there, and so on.

And, equally, those people are creating waste, from the obvious, to the plastic lolly wrappers discarded in the bin.

Environmental management system certification is not just about environmental disasters, or companies that produce vats of chemicals! The Standard is just that - a standard to aim for. And by talking to environmental management system experts in Queensland, that Standard will be shaped to match your organisation.

There are so many benefits, it's hard to believe it's not compulsory! For example, the system will allow you to indentify, manage and reduce your organisation's impact on the environment.

Improved performance

It will also consistently improve your environmental performance, something you then get to proclaim loudly to your customers - and potential customers!

Don't expect results overnight - this is a long-term strategy. But do expect a great response from your staff! Research shows that, generally, employees welcome the implementation of an ISO 14001 environmental management system.

You'll find that most of your employees already follow the three Rs - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle - both at home, and through schools and community groups.

And because of their commitment to 'doing the right thing', the likelihood is that they have previously questioned why their employer was not.

Support from staff

You will find that staff and management will get behind environmental management system certification wholeheartedly, and will put energy into making it work. And, because of its positive effect on the business, you're also likely to see increased motivation and productivity from your team, too.

And that's just as well, because as customers, potential customers - and potential business partners - see your new credentials, the demand for your product will grow. Whichever way you look at it, it's a win-win for everyone!