ISO 14001 implementation and operation

Implementation and operation are the next steps in putting together an effective EMS. ISO 14001 requires the following:

• Define and communicate roles, responsibility, and authorities necessary to establish, implement, and maintain the EMS -- There must be an appointed management representative who, irrespective of other duties, is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the EMS.
• Communicate the Environmental policy, objectives and targets, and other elements of the EMS to employees and contractors -- Communication can take several forms such as training, poster campaigns, and/or bulletin board announcements.
• Ensure that those employees whose job can have a significant impact on the environment are appropriately trained -- These employees must be informed of the potential environmental consequences of their actions and must be competent to do their jobs.
• Establish procedures to handle environmental inquiries from interested parties -- These inquiries could be about the EMS; the organization's significant aspects, objectives, and targets; environmental performance; or other environmental issues.
• Identify and describe the core elements of the EMS -- These could include the Environmental policy, operating procedures, and instructions.
• Control EMS documents and procedures -- Ensure they are current, reviewed by the authorized person(s), and available at point of use.
• Maintain documented procedures to control operations that could impact the environment -- These include work instructions, preventive maintenance procedures, and other operational control procedures.
• Have an effective emergency preparedness and response plan -- Test it periodically, as appropriate, and update it, as necessary after the occurrence of environmental incidents.