The Adoption of EMS - Essay Example

?Task 2 Critically discuss the adoption of EMS as a vehicle to achieve sustainability of company operations Introduction: In the competitive era of technology and globalization, more and more companies are seeking new ways to add value, and one of those ways can be, without a doubt, the introduction of an environmental management system. Environmental management systems are based on reference standards. The most widespread is ISO 14001. There is also the European Regulation EMAS, based on ISO 14001, but with additional requirements (among others, the public environmental statement). Environmental Management System (EMS) Environmental management, also known as environmental management or eco-management refers to the methods of management of an entity (company, department) to take into account the environmental impact of its activities, to assess the impact and reduce it. Environmental management is in a perspective of sustainable development. Environmental management systems are based on reference standards. The most widespread is ISO 14001. There is also the European Regulation EMAS, based on ISO 14001, but with additional requirements (among others, the public environmental statement) (IEMA’s Environmentalist 2008). The startlingly certified ISO 4001 possesses several benefits that include the significant cost, long, and short term advantages still they were implemented, and it was found there are more ways to improve it. The standard ISO 14001 is the most widely used standards in the series of standards ISO 14000 concerning the environmental management. It was conducted by the International Organization for Standardization, known internationally by the acronym ISO is automatically included in the naming standards (IEMA’s Environmentalist 2008). The contribution of standards is often imperceptible in daily lives their importance is most evident when they are lacking, both in terms of product reliability, it is dangerous or unsanitary conditions and safety in the work environment but, also impacts environmental factors where businesses are located (IEMA’s Environmentalist 2008). The ISO 14001 is a standard that can be applied globally while the EMAS is a regulation for the participation of companies in member states of the EC The EMAS specifically requires the implementation of the basic environmental feedback before establishing the EMS while ISO 14001 recommends that such a practice is really beneficial to establish the EMS, and it identifies the consequences and signifies the environmental factors (International Standard Organization 2012). The EMAS requires the preparation of an environmental statement, to be available publicly. This statement must be externally verified to ensure the reliability of the information. No requirement of the environmental statement in ISO 14001 Originally, the EMAS applied only to the industrial sector (mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply, and solid and liquid waste), but has since expanded its borders considerably and now includes service industries and governments local (International Standard Organization 2012: Isodanisman 2012). ISO 14001 can be functional to existing business processes or particular actions, which take place within the company while the EMAS only applies to a "place of operations" The EMAS provides that a company must "fulfill all relevant requirements relating to the environment" while ISO 14001 only states that there must be a "commitment to comply" environmental legislation and regulations (International Standard Organization 2012; Isodanisman 2012). The EMAS provides that the audit of a management system and environmental performance should be done, or completed the audit cycle, at least every three years while the ISO 14001 does not specify the frequency of audits The EMAS environmental policy states that must include a commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance, with a view to reduce impacts to levels not exceeding those corresponding to economically viable application of best available technology while the ISO 14001 establishes that the EMS should encourage the use of best available technology wherever appropriate and economically viable. ISO 14063- Communications guidelines: This standard is important for communication between parties committed to the environment. This standard also contributes towards the improvement in the environmental performance as the organization’s progress in achieving the sustainability. It also involves in creating and building trust and enhancing the mutual understanding among the concerned parties (International Standard Organization 2004). Role of EMS in achieving the sustainability of Company Operations (ISO 14031-Environmental Performance Evaluation) Operational control is essential to the functioning of the system in the day to day business: each operation must be planned to take place in conditions that allow the control (or reduction) of the adverse impacts that have associated. In organizations that already have a system ISO 14001 certified, operational control environment must relate the whole chapter of "product realization" of the quality management system (IEMA’s Environmentalist 2008). 1. Likewise, it is also important not to confuse the "operational control" to "monitoring and measurement." In operational control must plan (establish guidelines to follow, set parameter control limits) and monitoring and measurement shall be verified that we violate not what the business planned in the operational control through measurements and / or checks. 2. Another need is to involve suppliers and subcontractors communicating procedures / requirements regarding operational control when working on company premises (either via contractual or technical specifications, or by delivery of documentation) (IEMA’s Environmentalist 2008). 3. In essence, the environmental management system should provide a standardized systematic work aimed at obtaining environmental outcomes planned. To do this, a vital issue is that the staff get involved, and this is achieved by preventing the management system involves an additional burden of work. Simply, it should be a part of their regular work schedule. If this is achieved, the established operational control work and this will allow the system to continue rolling (IEMA’s Environmentalist 2008). Measurement of the environmental performance is encompassed in the ISO 14031 Standard. This standard is intended to provide the verifiable and reliable information to management. Organizations of the all types, locations, sizes and complexity can use this standard. Any organization with EMS can evaluate the performance against the objectives, environmental policy and targets defined in the EMS. Organization without any EMS can use EPE to identify the environmental aspects. The process of this standard is used on the criteria (PCDA) as Plan-Do-Check-Act (Putman 2002). For example, the “aspect-impact-objective-target process” AIOT process paves the way for the continuous improvement in the following way. An aspect is developed through the procedures of the relative organization. Environmental impact is determined. Impact changing objective is set. Target is achieved by providing the metric for confirmation. When a target is achieved, another target is simultaneously is started and completes in the same way. This is the way of achieving the continual improvement or sustainability (Westly, Beck, and Kesling 2007). They should assess which business activities are not in accordance with their environmental policy. At present, it is no longer sufficient to consider only those environmental impacts of waste manufacturing processes of products. Now must the employer consider the entire life cycle of the product, that is, they must assess the environmental impacts resulting from the extraction or production, transport and packaging of raw materials the company uses. This means that the employer must evaluate the environmental performance of the company's suppliers. Similarly, consider the environmental impacts of packaging, transportation, use and disposal of products that the company manufactures (International Standard Organization 2012). Although currently ERs are larger, this allows the entrepreneur to have more flexibility when deciding which will be the initial environmental objectives of the company. The common environmental objectives include the training of workers, the evaluation of the actions that are in contradiction to the environmental policy and rules, the level of the environmental circumstances and procedures to access the performance of the company suppliers. The staff responsible for meeting the environmental objectives of the company must have the means to complete their homework right on deadline and must justify unfulfilled goals. As the environmental objectives are accomplished, it proposes more ambitious goals aimed at improving the environmental quality of products and company activities continuously (International Standard Organization 2012). It is increasingly common to see that customers are more interested in knowing the manufacturer's quality system when their products require, is a matter of trust in the manufacturer. The certification of a company is a key factor for the development of trade, giving the buyer certain criterion, which will give a company the confidence that the purchased product meets the requirements. Certification is administered by impartial authorities, who are not influenced by industry or the image of a brand factory. These authorities assess the quality requirements of the product (or service) for acceptance, objectivity and expected benefits, applications based on the series of ISO-9000 (International Standard Organization 2012). If the client gains confidence in the certification of the company, the manufacturer must take appropriate quality systems, which are based on the ISO (9000 and / or 14000), generating confidence in the ability and profitability of the company to meet the market needs, creating a structure efficient quality and standardization (Karl 2000). Three Aspects of Sustainability The three-pillar model of sustainable development is based on the idea that sustainable development can only be achieved by the simultaneous and equal reaction of environmental, economic and social objectives. These three dimensions of sustainability are the main concerns are (Karl 2000): Environmental Sustainability It is based on the most original idea, not practice exploitation of nature. Environmentally sustainability would be a way of life that claims the natural resources only to the extent that they regenerate. Economic Sustainability A society should not live beyond its means economically as it will inevitably lead to loss of future generations. An economy is always considered being sustainable when it can perform well and continuously (Karl 2000). Social Sustainability A company is now considered "social" when not only complies with the principles of economic ethics and pursues a long-term growth (or sustainable), but also contributes to sustainable development in the macroeconomic sense, i.e. that do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Karl 2000). Usefulness of EMS in delivering sustainability: Environment management contributes the cost saving for the business companies. The delivery of the environment management system (EMS) also targets the sustainability commitments for the governments. Nuclear Decommission Authority (NDA) as ISO 14001:2004 certified targets the internal environmental performances. Useful target of the concerning EMS include as the reduction of CO2 emission from business travel and energy sources up to 25%, also 25% reduction in the waste, and reduction of paper use by 10% in years 2011 to 2012 (Nuclear Decommission Authority 2011). EMS is the tool that is the strong part for the quality management as it also delivers the monitoring and sustainability benefits. a. Identify and improve social impacts of companies Commercial companies, such as industrial, should respond to this new social and evaluate the impact of their policies on the health of consumers, the economic and social structures of the countries where companies buy their products, especially on the physical environment and the environmental sustainability of development. A confirmation of these trends is the spread of "sustainability reports" of companies that integrate social reports and environmental reports in a perspective that promotes the connection with the financial aspects. ISO 26000- Corporate Social Responsibility: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) points to the integration of the concerns of nature ethics within the strategic vision of a company. It shows the manifestation of will of large, small and medium-sized enterprises to manage issues of social and ethical impact of their internal and areas of activity (Karl 2000). Organizations do not work in the vacuum. The relationship between an environment and a society is essential. Overall performance can be determined by using this standard ISO-24001. This standard addresses the ways of business operations and their appropriateness according to social responsibility. A welfare and healthy society likes the ethical and transparent acts of the business organization (International Standard Organization 2012). Benefits and the limitations of using EMS Having a certified environmental management system for the company involves a number of benefits of market, economic, improving the image of the company and also its regulatory status, including: Sustainability is thought an ethical notion as it transforms into declared activities. Effects of the ISO 14000 series are ethical and also have operational approach that is referred as the sustainable development. Pollution prevention is important for management and improvement of the natural resources. Transparent use of the resources and keeping public informed about these resources ensures the continuous development. SME Type organization do not have awareness about the EMS and ISO 14001. In Canada only 37% business companies had awareness about the EMS. The lack of engagement of public is the drawback of the EMS for a continuous development. It requires more pressure on the organizations for embracing the ISO 14001 for general public awareness. Target and audits are not for the public and only policy statement of environment is for public. Lack of the transparency as information for public is also a drawback of the EMS. (Marsh N.D) To bring these benefits, it is important that the management system is well posed since the beginning, having thoroughly identified all environmental aspects of the organization, and establishing criteria to measure them objectively, and is sensitive to improvements they occur over time. So get those significant environmental aspects over which the standard requires us to establish operational control procedures (International Standard Organization 2012). EMS standard enable the organizations to establish the environmental policy, identification of the essential impacts on the environment. EMS also supports the organization by identifying the targets and objectives for improvement. The organizations put their programs to achieve the set targets and objectives. Environmental improvement is the preferred role and responsibility of the employees of organizations. However, in context of a business the sustainable development is approached and interpreted in practice in different forms, and ways. Social justice, environmental quality and economic prosperity are the main focusing points of the use of EMS. There are certain limitations in the ISO 14000 series of standards in context of business sustainability. There are no exact definitions of goals relevant to environmental performance and also the ambiguity of the language. These implications may give rise to other complicate implementations and interpretations (International Standard Organization 2012). b. Issues related to establishing sustainability indicators The developments of new sustainable standards are aimed to provide the requirements of organization’s commitment of transparency, and also invite all stakeholders for the informal consultation. There was a set of 68 indicators in the previous development. There are 12 headline indicators and twenty five supplementary indicators. These indicators are related with economic, social and environmental issues. Economic, environmental and community related sustainability is aimed for the benefits of the future generation. These indicators are also sued to stock the progress and allow the public to chart this success (Saltmarsh 2012). In context of firms the BP Amoco, Monsanto, Volvo and Collins & Floorcovering have applied the principles of the sustainability performance measurement. Lagging and leading indicators are the important for the sustainability measurement and development. Defra and DECC with a collaboration provide the guidelines for the business organization in UK about the greenhouse gas emissions. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are developed in order to help the organizations for the demonstration of their corporate sustainability. These KPIs are used to measure and report the performance for environmental indicators such as the materials, water and pollutants (Defra 2013.) Conclusion An environmental management system (EMS) is a tool for the systematic collection and reduction of environmental impact. The purpose of the EMS is to ensure a continuous improvement in the environmental performance of the bank in the operationally-operative sector. The companies have different objectives and methods to demonstrate their social responsibility and contribute to sustainable development. Some are more important than the savings and efficiency gains achieved through a reduction in energy consumption (energy is by relevance, the second operating cost for commercial U.S.). For others, promote "green" initiatives are a way to improve the image, pursuing a leadership "ethics." For others, it is a way to create a bond with the customers, based on emerging values. Many companies are pursuing a combination of the three aspects. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related issues in context of firms are also made part of this paper. References Bsi-global (2012) [Online] Available from [7 December 2012] Defra (2013). single indicator: carbon footprint. For measuring and reporting Green House Gases GHG: available from http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy/business-efficiency/reporting/ accessed on 14/01/2013 ENDS. (2003) “Regulators place EMS auditors under the magnifying glass” [Online] Available from [7th December 2012] Epa. (2012) [Online] Available from [7th December 2012] IEMA’s Environmentalist (2008) “Achieving best practice in EMS auditing-adding Value” International Standard Organization. (2012) [Online] Available from [7th December 2012]. International Standard Organization (2004). Environmental management — Environmental communication — Guidelines and examples, Available from http://inni.pacinst.org/inni/Communication/14063CD2.pdf Accessed on 14/01/2012. Isodanisman. (2012) [Online] Available from [7th December 2012]. Karl, H.R. (2000) “Tools and Concepts for Sustainable Development, how do they relate to a general framework for SD and to each other?” Journal of Cleaner Production, 8, 243-254. Marsh, J. (N.D). ISO 14001: Analysis into its strengths and weaknesses, and where potential opportunities could be deployed for tomorrows Global Business, Available from http://greenleansolutions.com/resources/ISO14001.pdf Accessed on 14/01/2013. Nuclear Decommission Authority (2011). Sustainability Report available from http://www.nda.gov.uk/documents/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=1802004 Accessed on 14/01/2013. Putnam, D. (2002). ISO 14031: Environmental Performance Evaluation, Available from http://inbec.com.br/josimardealmeida/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AVALIA%C3%87%C3%83O-AMBIENTAL.ARTIGO-CIENT%C3%8DFICO.Performace-Ambiental1.pdf Accessed on 14/02/2013. Rondinelli, D. &Vastag, G. (2000) “Panacea, Common Sense, or Just a Label? The Value of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems”, European Management Journal, 18(5), 499–510 Saltmarsh, N. (2012). Sustainable Development in Government, Available from http://sd.defra.gov.uk/2012/07/consultation-on-new-sustainable-development-indicators/ Accessed on 18/12/2012. Westly, L.B., Beck, A.J., and Kesling, L.J. (2007). EMS AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE KEY IN THE BANKER’S TOOLBOX, Available from http://www.scsengineers.com/Papers/Kesling%20%20EMS%20AND%20SUSTAINABILITY.pdf Accessed on 14/01/2013. Read More