Audit systems Environmental Management

EMS the report does state that the integrated management system also includes a system of audit and environmental management in the context of European regulations, commonly known as EMAS . There is no evidence that any of the sites are actually certified to a recognised EMS such as the EMAS. 

The ISO has also produced a set of quality standards specifically for environmental management. This is the ISO 14000 series. The areas addressed by ISO 14000 are Environmental Management Systems, Environmental Performance Evaluations, Environmental Auditing, Life Cycle Assessment, and Environmental Labeling. 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), (2002), Guidelines for quality and/or environmental management systems auditing, ISO 19011 2002, ISO, Geneva. 

The ISO 14000 series of standards, known informally as Environmental ISO, is a set of generic standards developed by the ISO to provide organizations with a framework for managing the environmental impact of their activities. Environmental disciplines including the basic environmental management system, product labeling, criteria for auditing, and life-cycle assessment are included. 

Environmental management systems (EMS), and also ISO 14001, are becoming household names in many organizations. But what about EMAS Almost unknown in the United States, EMAS is the acronym for the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, a voluntary system based on European Union (EU) regulations and... 

Audits Specified frequency and methodology of audits of the environmental management system and of environmental performance Audits of the environmental management system (frequency or methodology not specified)... 

International Organization for Standardization, Guidelines for Quality and/or Environmental Management Systems Auditing (ISO 19011 .2002(E)), International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2002. 

ISO includes environmental management systems, environmental auditing, environmental labeling, environmental performance evaluation, and lifecycle assessment. It is a process rather than a performance-based system. 

Deciding whether a company has carried out an audit will in turn depend to some degree on the company s own definition. A number of different types of audit have been identified. An environmental review is an initial analysis of the environmental issues, impact and performance related to activities at a site and should be seen as the first step in the audit programme. Following the review, a system audit will assess the effectiveness of the company s environmental management system. Other audits will cover particular sites, acquisition or divestment and the production impacts of making a specific product. 

While most chemicals companies buy in to the Responsible Care programme, what is being looked for here is the employment of, and a particular intention to work to, a recognised environmental management system such as ISO 14001, the European Eco-Management and Audit System (EMAS) or a management verification system such as that run by the US Chemical Manufacturer s Association. While it is expected that the company will have a significant proportion (>25%) of its production sites certified, a yes score may be achieved with a lower proportion if there is evidence that the company shows a continuous upward trend. 

EMS there is a stated aim to equip all plants with environmental management systems conforming to ISO 14001 or equivalent by the end of 2001 . To date 14 sites have received external certification. It is also stated that the 15 sites in the USA apply procedures complying with the country s laws and their own Responsible Care programs . It is unclear whether this includes auditing under the management verification system. 

A voluntary scheme, which is administered according to European Council Regulation EEC/1836/93. An eco-audit every three years determines the effectiveness of the environmental management system in place, verifying that environmental policies and objectives are being put into practice. 

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