ISO14001- Identifying Aspects and Impacts AWMA 95th Annual Meeting and Exhibition Session ES-2d - Pollution Prevention Tools - The Road to Sustainability

摘要

Supplier registration requirements by automakers, and other major equipment suppliers are resulting in rapid growth of ISO 14001-Environmental Management System (EMS) certifications. The number of ISO 14001-EMS certified companies is increasing every year. The benefits of implementing an EMS at a company are numerous and result in significant cost savings. Some of the internal benefits for a company include a documented continual progression towards compliance with applicable legal and other environmental requirements, improved environmental performance, reduced environmental liabilities, and an increased efficiency in the use of valuable staff time and resources within the company. The external benefits include customer satisfaction, competitive advantage, and new customers due to potential for increased market share and enhanced image with the community and regulators. EMS based on the ISO14001 specification standard (or equivalent) is a tool that can be used by organizations for improved environmental performance and consequential cost reduction. ISO 14001 specification standard requires organizations to identify their environmental aspects and impacts. The evaluation of the aspects and impacts and selection of the significant aspects are the foundation of an EMS. Multiple elements of an EMS are directly dependent on significant aspects and impacts. This paper presents a systematic approach for identifying the environmental aspects and impacts. Examples of the approach will be shown during the paper presentation.