It is very important for companies to have a comprehensive environmental policy in place. A company with an effective EMS should describe in the environmental policy how it distributes tasks, processes organization, deals with procurement, and trains employees, among others. The aim of EMS systems is to ensure that a business organization keeps on improving the quality of the environment.
This blog post defines the EMS and discusses some important aspects of a comprehensive EMS system companies should have in place. Keep reading!
Exploring the Concept of Environmental Management System (EMS)
Businesses should implement system-led approaches that will help them manage different aspects of the environment effectively and the effects of their activities, products, and services on the environment. The development of a framework for an EMS is such a systematic approach. That framework allows companies to effectively monitor, improve, and control their environmental aspects and impacts while addressing governmental regulations. By doing so, companies may commit and reflect their efforts made for reducing their ecological footprint. The most widely used standard for EMS is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001 Certification).
Furthermore, a well-developed EMS can help firms abide by environmental rules, minimize expenditures, boost credibility, and gain a sustainable competitive edge.
Moreover, companies need to ensure their compliance with environmental management systems (EMS), and internal auditing is inevitable for them to ensure that compliance. Therefore, it involves achieving environmental goals and targets, which is possible by assessing the effectiveness of the EMS. By conducting regular audits, businesses can spot areas for improvement while strengthening their sustainability practices and reducing environmental risks. So, they need to take a proactive approach to ensure their environmental responsibility, helping them improve environmental performance.
Lastly, companies need to ensure continuous improvement, which is created by the Plan-Do-Check-Act model. It’s related to an innovative education and communication program in which staff at all levels are incorporated into the company’s environmental management process. Therefore, companies must pay attention to major keys to the EMS, which comprise their management commitment and a clear understanding of risk and impact of their employees’ activities.
Benefits of Implementing an Effective EMS
Numerous benefits businesses can reap by implementing an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). Some of them are as follows:
Ensuring Compliance with Legal and Other Requirements
One of the significant benefits businesses can gain by using the ISO 14001 standards is that it provides a framework through which companies can identify and keep track of the environmental laws required on their premises. These standards can preserve the element of compliance.
Before implementing the system, you might have tried to conform to all applicable laws. This will show the customers that your business cares for the environment by meeting environmental, legal, and contractual requirements.
Improving Business by Reducing Operational Costs
A business needs to maintain a competitive position and have a financial advantage in the industry. If implemented comprehensively, it’s possible. EMS evaluates the way in which your business utilizes the existing resources and provides some recommendations on waste reduction to promote better resource utilization.
This will, in turn, create room for cost reduction by slashing down on unnecessary expenditures. For example, by reducing your energy consumption, you will be able to cut costs and save a lot because gas or electricity will cost less.
Helping Gain Competitive Edge
It is every business’s desire to have a sustainable competitive advantage within their target market, which can occur through a credible EMS. Some of your clients are on the way to ISO 14001. They may ask whether you have an ISO 14001 to ease their concerns that you handle your environmental risk ethically and legally. Therefore, it could be a risk management tool for some companies that hold the philosophy of “prevention is better than cure,” such as petroleum retail stores.
Keep in mind that customers can always look to other competitors for satisfaction if you are not in a position to satisfy their needs with ISO 14001.
Improving Morale of Employees
Environmental action is a value all employees strive to share with their employers. They are always looking forward for their organizations to grow in terms of fulfillment of sustainability pledges. This makes potential employees consider the organization they wish to serve during their selection.
Therefore, companies need to recruit similar characters who will demonstrate that they love their human resources. Through their employees, they may increase the chances for diversification and improve their skills.
Scientific research shows that caring companies can promote job satisfaction and motivation among their people. First, it shows that there is passion within the company towards sustainability, which makes their work meaningful. Therefore, developing and following a robust and sustainable agenda is necessary for a company to show its employees that it prioritizes the environment and human resources.
Creating an In-Depth EMS: A 4-Step Guide
We have shared four steps that can help business entities build and implement a comprehensive environmental management system:
- Devise an all-inclusive environmental policy: A comprehensive environmental policy must incorporate every aspect of business operations and practices with clear environmental management goals and objectives.
- Identify various environmental aspects: A thorough analysis needs to be conducted to find and categorize the various environmental aspects and impacts made by activities, products, and services of the business.
- Create strategic plans for proper implementation: Strategic plans must specify measures to be taken to ensure the efficient implementation of the environmental policy, considering variables such as resource allocation, employee engagement, and stakeholder involvement.
- Continuously monitor the policy and revise it if needed: An effective monitoring and review process needs to be established to constantly analyze the effectiveness of the environmental policy, spot areas for enhancement, and adapt the system as needed to ensure continuous progress toward ecological sustainability.
Final Say
Making significant and long-lasting changes is now possible for businesses by having a thorough environmental management system in place. An EMS system in place can enable companies to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, reduced environmental impact, cost savings, enhanced risk management, and continuous improvement in their practices. Most importantly, an EMS system helps organizations in the event of legal disputes or insurance claims associated with environmental incidents.
If you’re seeking an expert to make proper EMS documentation or proven internal audit solutions, look no further than Quality Audit Solutions. We ensure our clients are prepared better for successful third-party audit results in IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and 14001 while also paying attention to continuous improvements and the mitigation of environmental risks. Contact us today and draw more customers, investors, and shareholders!