ISO 9001 Standard / ISO 9001 Standards – ISO 9000 Standard / ISO 9000 Standards Certification & Implementation

Change In ISO 14001:2004 – Documentation

This clause has been updated to align it with ISO 19001:2004, but has not changed in intent. The listed EMS documentation now includes:

• the environmental policy,

• objectives and targets,

• a description of the scope of the EMS,

• a description of the main elements of the EMS and their interaction and reference to related documents, documents and records

• required by the standard, • documents and records determined by the organisation as necessary to ensure the effective planning, operation and control of processes that relate to the significant environmental aspects.

Formatting changes help align Clause 4.4.5 of ISO 14001:2004 with ISO 9001:2000. An additional clarification has been made to define records as a special type of document requiring control under Clause 4.5.4. A new addition to the requirements aims to ensure documents of external origin, (i.e. MSDS, permits) that are necessary to the system, are identified and their distribution is controlled.

Formatting changes help align Clause 4.4.5 of ISO 14001:2004 with ISO 9001:2000. An additional clarification has been made to define records as a special type of document requiring control under Clause 4.5.4. A new addition to the requirements aims to ensure documents of external origin, (i.e. MSDS, permits) that are necessary to the system, are identified and their distribution is controlled.

The revised standard requires documents required by the EMS and the standard to be controlled documents.

Note that “document” is included in the definitions, and includes its supporting medium which can be paper, magnetic, electronic or optical computer disc, photograph or master sample, or a combination thereof.

The heart of the specification is in the EMS Requirements, the principles of which are summarized below:

Principle #1 – Commitment and Policy Top management must make a commitment to the program. 

Principle #2 – Planning To be successful, the program must be organized. This includes an organizational structure, open communications, both internal and external, and a mechanism for identifying issues. 

Principle #3 Implementation Program must be undertaken, including training, writing process descriptions, and establishing prevention programs. 

Principle #4 Measurement and Evaluation Create a mechanism for assessing performance and progress toward goals.Principle #5 Review and Improvement? ISO 14004, Section 4, Environmental Management System (EMS)

 Reference:  ISO 14004, Section 4, Environmental Management System (EMS) Principles and Elements.

 1. Organization Evaluation

  a. Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001, 14004)

  b. Environmental Performance Evaluation (ISO 14014, 14015, 14031)

ISO 14001 Standard – Environment Management System