Contributed by Paul Hansen, Project Manager, PPM Consultants
In a world pushing more and more for environmental stewardship, we are seeing more industries pushing for accountability when it comes to environmental compliance, best management practices, being a “good neighbor”, and transparency. Setting such goals requires a top-down management approach and a commitment to providing the necessary resources. How is all of this put together? Typically, through an environmental management system (EMS) such as ISO 14001. In my experience, I have seen many companies implementing these systems with more being pushed towards implementing an EMS.
ISO 14001:2015 is a globally recognized standard for EMS. It outlines a framework that organizations can use to effectively manage and continually improve their environmental performance. The standard is designed to help organizations minimize their impact on the environment, comply with applicable regulations and laws, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
ISO 14001:2015 can impact a wide range of organizations across various industries, including but not limited to:
- Manufacturing companies: Organizations that produce goods and materials are often subject to environmental regulations and may have significant environmental impacts that need to be managed.
- Service companies: Service providers such as consulting firms, transportation companies, and utilities can also be impacted by ISO 14001:2015 if they have environmental impacts associated with their operations.
- Government agencies: Government agencies at all levels may be subject to ISO 14001:2015 if they have environmental responsibilities and impacts that need to be managed.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): NGOs that work on environmental issues may seek ISO 14001:2015 certification to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and improve their environmental performance.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): SMEs across various sectors can also benefit from implementing ISO 14001:2015 to improve their environmental performance and comply with environmental regulations.
PPM Consultants is a consulting firm that offers a range of services related to environmental management, including helping organizations implement ISO 14001:2015 standards. PPM can provide support at various stages of the implementation process, from initial gap analysis and development of an environmental policy, to ongoing monitoring and improvement of the EMS. Some specific ways that PPM can help include:
- PPM can assess an organization’s current environmental management practices and identify areas where it may need to improve in order to meet the requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard.
- Environmental policy development: PPM can work with an organization to develop an environmental policy that aligns with its goals and objectives, and reflects its commitment to sustainability.
- Documentation and implementation: PPM can help an organization develop the necessary documentation and procedures to implement the EMS effectively, including developing a process for identifying and managing environmental risks and opportunities.
- Training and support: PPM can provide training and support to help an organization’s employees understand their roles and responsibilities in implementing the EMS and achieving environmental objectives.
- Auditing and certification: PPM can conduct internal audits to ensure the EMS is functioning effectively, and assist with the certification process to achieve ISO 14001:2015 certification.
Overall, PPM Consultants can help organizations achieve compliance with the ISO 14001:2015 standard, improve their environmental performance, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. In summary, any organization that has environmental impacts associated with its operations can be impacted by ISO 14001:2015 and PPM is here to support. If you want to discuss an EMS for your facility, please feel free to reach out to me at paul.hansen@ppmco.com.