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Monday, October 13, 2008

Environmental Policy – Driver for implementing and improving EMS


Author - K. R. Singhal

The term ‘Environmental Policy’ comprises two major terms – (i) Environment, and (ii) Policy.

The term ‘Environment’ primarily refers to the ecosystems (ecological) dimension. Environment is the surrounding, in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation. It can also take into account of social dimension and economic (resource management) dimension. The term ‘Policy’ can be defined as a course of action or principle adopted or proposed. Thus, ‘Environmental Policy’ focuses on problems arising from human impact on environment and it provides overall intention and direction related to environmental performance.

An environmental policy is a written statement providing a framework of an organization mission in relation to managing the environmental effects and aspects of its operation. For organizations intending to obtain certification to ISO 14001:2004 EMS Standards, the ‘environmental policy’ is the cornerstone of the organization’s environmental management system (EMS) development and implementation. Environmental policy is a driver for implementing and improving organization’s environmental management system (EMS).

Environmental policy is the overall intentions and direction of an organization related to environmental performance of the organization, which is formally expressed by the top management of the organization. The environmental policy statement demonstrates commitment to making the policy work and the statement is signed, dated and endorsed by the Managing Director, Chief Executive or other senior manager.

Organizations, implementing ISO 14001:2004 EMS Standard, must satisfy requirements of clause 4.2 of the Standard related to environmental policy. Accordingly, the top management of the organization must write and make known a organization-wide policy on environmental issues. Such an organization-wide environmental policy should have the following characteristics:
- The policy is appropriate to the size and nature of the organization. The policy considers the organization’s activities, products and services and it is appropriate to the scale and environmental impacts of the organization’s activities, products and services.
- The policy shows commitment to continual improvement.
- The policy shows commitment to prevention of pollution.
- The policy shows commitment to comply with applicable legal requirements relating to environmental aspects.
- The policy shows commitment to comply with other requirements (such as customer requirements, etc.) to which the organization subscribes relating to environmental aspects.
- The policy states that the organization will set appropriate environmental objectives and targets.
- The policy states that the organization will review environmental objectives and targets periodically (on a regular basis).
- The policy is written (documented), implemented and maintained.
- The policy is communicated to all employees and also persons working on behalf of the organization (such as contract workers, contractors, temporary workers, vendors etc.).
- The policy is available to the public.

Upon study of the Standard’s requirements, we come to the conclusion that the ‘environmental policy’ should clearly state the aims and principles of the organization (what the organization intends to achieve) with respect to organization’s impact on the environment. The ‘environment policy’ forms the basis upon which the organization sets its environmental objectives and targets. Environmental policy of an organization is an important document, which shows the commitment of the organization. It is the driver for implementing and improving organization’s environmental management system (EMS) so that environmental performance of the organization can be maintained and improved.

There are certain benefits associated with writing an environmental policy. The environmental policy acts as a driver for implementing and improving organization’s environmental management system (EMS). It assures organization’s customers of commitment to demonstrate environmental management. The environmental policy helps in maintaining good public / community relation. It enhances organization’s image and also market share. The policy helps in improving cost control. The environmental policy provides a framework to the organization people in reducing incidents that result in liability, thus it helps the organization in reducing the organization’s future liability burden. The environmental policy helps in conserving raw materials and energy. The environmental policy shares environmental solutions. It also helps the organization in improving industry and government relation.

How to write a good environmental policy? Let us follow following basic rules for writing an environmental policy:
Keep the environmental policy statement short. The policy statement should not be too long. It is suggested to keep the environmental policy statement not longer than a sheet of A4 size.
The environmental policy statement is meant for people (internal and external parties) to see, so make sure that the environmental policy statement is easy to read and understand.
The environmental policy statement must mention realistic, achievable and relevant intentions to organization’s activities and practices.

Let us look at an example of environmental policy of an organization.

Environmental Policy

Our organization is committed to the environmental performance abiding concern for environment and society. We strive to provide a healthy work environment to all our employees, and conduct environmental friendly operations at the premises of our organization situated at ……………. (address).

Our policy aims at improving management by setting higher standards, and reducing pollution by minimizing the waste generation from our operation. We are committed to respect Health, Safety, and Environmental issues of our employees and local community. We are also committed to comply with applicable legal requirements relating to environmental aspects, prevention of pollution and continual improvement of the environmental management system of our organization.

Our organization strives to set, review and achieve environmental objectives and targets on a continuous basis.

On behalf of Board of Directors

Sd/-
Chairman and MD


Courtesy
- Complete Guide to ISO 14000, Richard B। Clements, Prentice Hall
-Understanding ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System, K। R. Singhal, NCQM Ajmer Centre.
-IS/ISO 14001:2004, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi।
- Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia –
http://en.wikipedia.org


Note
The article is written for creating awareness.
Free to publish above article with the name of the author.
A copy of the published magazine / journal / publication should be sent to Mr. K. R. Singhal, Centre Coordinator, National Centre for Quality Management, Ajmer Centre, 117, Jeevan Vihar Colony, Anasagar Circular Road, Ajmer – 305004 (India).
Remuneration (as per your rules) for the above article is accepted and you can send the same to the author at the abovementioned address.

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