Businesses Advised to Update Their Environmental Policy for 2020

Connie Smith, owner of a quality management consultant firm in Montebello, California, is advising businesses to update their environmental policies for 2020. She explained that this is because a primary factor in getting and maintaining an ISO 14001 certification is a company’s policy for the environment. This particular ISO standard provides the specifications for an environmental management system. It provides the details of a framework that a company or organization would need to follow in order to have an effective environmental management system whatever the activity or sector.

According to the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), an environmental management system is “part of the management system used to manage environmental aspects, fulfill compliance obligations, and address risks and opportunities.” The framework in the ISO 14001 standard can be applied in a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) strategy for continuous improvement.

The latest version of IS0 14001 is the ISO 14001:2015 and should be utilized by any company or organization that wants to establish, improve, or maintain an environmental management system that complies with the standard’s environmental policies and requirements. ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to all organizations, whatever the size, location, industry, or sector. It focuses on a number of topics with regards to environmental management systems. These are context of the organization, planning, leadership, operations, support, performance evaluation, and improvement.

The 2015 revisions include the integration of a required high-level structure with the use of mandatory definitions, and the incorporation of common standards clauses and requirements. The 2015 version has an impact on 10 major areas: expansion in EMS coverage and scope; new requirements for leadership management; required interactions with external parties; expanded legal compliance requirements; new documentation requirements; need for risk-based planning and controls; changes in competence and awareness requirements; expanded operational control requirements; increased certification costs; and effects on the internal audit system.

Meanwhile, Connie Smith says, “Going green shouldn't put your organization in the red. If you're ready to get with the ISO 14001 trend, our Environmental Consultants at American Quality Management can help you clean up your act without cleaning out your wallet.”

American Quality Management can help a business or organization clearly define their set of objectives and create a world class system to help them accomplish their specified goals. The AQM ISO 14001 consulting services will also show how the company or organization can effectively maintain their new environmental management system to ensure that all of their operational procedures and daily activities continue to be compliant.

There are two major benefits of a company getting ISO 14001 certified. First, they will increase their marketability as a result of the company being more appealing to customers and suppliers who believe in protecting the environment. Second, the company will benefit from cost savings through the discovery of new ways to minimize waste cost effectively and make use of state of the art green technology for more efficient energy use.

Also, by being ISO 14001 certified, a company or organization can systematically ensure compliance with both domestic and international laws with the result that there is a decreased risk of being subjected to penalties, fines or public boycotts. ISO 14001 can also be integrated into established quality assurance practices, such as ISO 9001 or OHSAS 18001.

By following the protocols resulting from a carefully planned environmental quality management system, company managers are assured to be able to administer the right oversight of all activities, decisions, services, or production processes that could possibly affect the environment. When quality managers are able to successfully implement ISO 14001 systems, they can have peace of mind knowing that all those risks have been minimized, thus substantially reducing the possibility of civil, legal, or consumer backlash.

American Quality Management specializes in environmental systems and have established a proven track record to help businesses achieve ISO 14001 certification. People who need more information on making adjustments on their environmental policy in order to be certified can visit the AQM website or contact them through the telephone or via email.