Important Changes To Environmental Standard ISO 14001
About Changes To Environmental Standard ISO 14001
Important Changes To Environmental Standard ISO 14001
As we all know, owning a business isn’t just about selling product and services any more. Today’s customers demand a lot more – and rightly so. They want choice, quality, reliability, amazing customer service and, increasingly, they want to know that your product and production processes are not harming the environment.
And while price will always be a deciding factor for shoppers, they are quite likely to stop buying from a business they believe is doing the wrong thing environmentally.
The price of not being environmentally responsible gets higher every day, in terms of lost business, disgruntled customers and staff, even reputation.
But there is a solution for all businesses. And that’s putting in an effective environmental management system and achieving ISO certification.
Internationally recognised
Environmental Standard ISO 14001 is the world’s most accepted environmental management standard.
It’s an internationally recognised standard put in place to help businesses retain commercial success while still taking responsibility for their actions.
However, certification needs to be earned and that’s where an environmental awareness training course comes in.
The combination of an EMS course and certification allows a business to put in place a framework that places sustainability right at the centre.
Customer expectations
By meeting increasing customer expectations of business responsibility, as well as legislative requirements, a business can then continue to grow, knowing it is not growing its carbon footprint.
Environmental Standard ISO 14001 was revised in this year and it’s important to keep up with the changes.
The standard is used for gauging the environmental impact of a business on the environment, and putting in place measures to reduce the impact.
Quality management systems
One way of ensuring this is done correctly is through EMS lead auditor training. The right training covers three important areas.
Firstly, it is necessary to get an overview of quality management systems, as well as looking at communication skills, techniques, and the skills and responsibilities of an auditor.
The next area of training covers ISO 14001 in detail, including risk assessment, eco systems and pollution control.
Finally it is necessary to look at the actual role of a lead auditor, the skills, and the legal and ethical aspects of the role.
Putting staff through an environmental awareness training course is a very wise move for any business, and the benefits are many.
Reducing the risks
Naturally there are benefits for the environment, such as reducing the risk of pollution and damage, and the efficient use of resources. But there’s definitely something in it for the business owner, too, such as improved efficiency in running the operation – and therefore budget savings.
By reducing waste and energy use, the business is helping the environment, and the bottom line.
And by meeting legal and ethical obligations, a business builds trust with its customers, staff and other stakeholders.
Through an EMS course a business will enhance its reputation, which is likely to lead to new customers and increased business.
It paves the way not only for the expansion of that business, but also for the day when Environmental Standard ISO 14001 becomes mandatory.
Finding a training provider
Finding the right training provider should be easy, as there are a fair few around, but they might not necessarily be the right one for your business.
With the growing numbers of SMBs and SMEs, it’s important to find an environmental awareness training course that is designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses.
It’s also crucial to choose a training provider that doesn’t simply push an ‘off the shelf’ product, but is happy to develop a system to suit your company.
Experience and expertise is crucial, too. Make sure the EMS course is right for your industry – and that your consultant has experience and knowledge of that industry.
And choose a training provider who is confident in achieving certification first time around!
Flexibility is the key. You might want full system training of all your staff – or perhaps just one management system representative.
An holistic approach
And you can expect your training company to provide all the documentation, training and expertise needed to become certified.
Environmental Standard ISO 14001 is designed to identify, manage, monitor and control environmental issues in a holistic way. In other words, it can easily be integrated into any existing ISO management system.
It’s suitable for any size or type of organisation, from private, not-for-profit and governmental.
And it covers a whole array of issues, including water and sewage, air pollution, soil contamination, waste management, resource use and efficiency and, increasingly, any potential impact on climate change.
Action needed
Businesses working with or supplying large companies and government bodies may find that they need to undergo an environmental awareness training course in order to meet their requirements.
Environmental Standard ISO 14001 is not a one-off event. It requires a business to continually monitor, report and improve, and that’s why EMS lead auditor training and environmental awareness training courses are so crucial.
The 2015 revision of the Standard is something that businesses need to investigate and implement sooner rather than later.
