Environmental Management Systems

Environmental awareness is rapidly increasing to the point where there is as much pressure placed on companies to achieve control over resources and waste as there was to achieve quality standards.
From office-based organisations, to the largest chemical or mining company - all can save money through effective environmental controls.

We can provide;

  • project co-ordination to assist companies implement an environmental management system and, where possible, integrate this into an existing ISO 9000 based system.
  • training to ensure understanding and support for a company-wide environmental policy

Environmental Management – Where There’s Muck There’s Money

Financial payback should be all the incentive that companies need to adopt good business practice yet many seem reluctant to accept this as a philosophy. Too many organisations are still trying to adopt management standards for the sake of a certificate.

The advantages to be gained from quality or environmental standards should impact across the whole organisation and especially ‘the bottom line’. Many organisations have adopted management standards such as ISO 9001 in the simplest possible manner to combat external pressure, often from their customers without realising that what they should be doing is establishing the most effective way of running their business.There is a growing pressure on all companies to comply with an ever-increasing set of constraints from a wide variety of sources. This requires consideration of the question “What do we get out of all this”?

In comparison to Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001), where companies have found that financial savings only become apparent after two or three years of better process control, a good Environmental Management System (ISO 14001) can bring almost immediate results and cost savings. In fact, those companies with the worst environmental record can be those who gain most in the short term.

There are many pressures that influence company management, including;
  • The need to control cash flow and investment
  • Compliance with an ever increasing range of legislation, which will gradually be more and more effectively monitored.
  • Customers are demanding ever higher standards
  • Investors and Insurers require security
  • Interested Parties and pressure groups are demanding ‘greener’ products Competition is showing its commitment
  • Increasing support for at every level for a genuine concern for the environment.

The only answer to all of these is an integrated strategy based on good business sense and commitment.

Why is it then that companies are often reluctant to apply environmental management principles to their business strategy?

The answer may be quite simply that management can only see the cost involved in obtaining yet another certificate, while quietly ignoring the hidden costs occurring through waste in the organisation. Unlike quality management where the certificate has become almost a ‘license to trade’, as yet environmental management is still an option. However, it is an option that WILL provide a payback whether you reach the certification stage or simply adopt the principles. If you can answer yes to the following questions you are already well on the way to an effective environmental policy:

Alan A. Griffin Associates can offer a wide range of advisory support to companies approaching an environmental policy or management system. From the initial review through to preparation of objectives and targets, our professional staff can simplify the work involved and help to produce a cost-effective system.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING


A joint venture - in association with:

(Formally Institute of Quality Assurance, IQA)

Introduction to EMS

One day course suitable for those with an interest in EMS and Environmental issues.

As a public or in-house activity this course provides an ideal introduction to the benefits of environmental management. The course includes examples of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) documentation and can be directed to all levels of personnel.


This course provides:
  • Delegates an in depth understanding of environmental issues and the benefits of an EMS.
  • Practical guidance on the implementation of an effective EMS.
  • The justification needed for an EMS through cost-saving and continual improvement.
 

ISO 14001 Environmental Management Implementation Course

Two day course suitable for anyone intending to implement, coordinate and manage an EMS.

From the initial review, through an understanding of environmental legislation, into implementing a full EMS, this course explains a step-by-step approach to effective environmental management.

This course provides:

Detailed explanation of the ISO 14001 standard.
Practical guidance on establishing an effective system.
Tools to fulfil the documentation requirements.
Tools to support continual environmental improvement.

ISO 14001 Internal Auditor Course

A three day course suitable for anyone who needs to audit internally an EMS. Experienced quality auditors need only attend the two day course.

Environmental systems auditing is in many ways similar to quality systems auditing and the two day course primarily covers the important differences providing the additional knowledge and expertise necessary. Examples and case studies are used throughout to provide practical examples.

This course provides:
  • Enables delegates to establish and implement an effective internal audit programme.
    Provides delegates with the skills and understanding necessary to internally audit an EMS.

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