Why is Environmental Management Plan (EMP) necessary?

Today most of the industries involving environmental aspects are looking forward to “Eco- friendly Technologies” or “Green Technologies”, so that there would be no harmful effect on the environment during the various operations carried out in an industry.

This change in approach by industries from “Production Oriented Technology” to “Eco-friendly Technology” is only possible due to adoption of Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Moreover, Environmental Awareness programmes can also be undertaken with the help of local government, so as to inculcate information in the general regarding the use of products from industries having ISO certification thereby taking a step towards “Green Consumerism”.

Attempt has been made to study the significance of EMS in implementing environmental policies and adopting Eco-Friendly technologies by industries to control pollution.

ISO has a two-pronged approach to meeting the needs of business, industry, governments and consumers in the field of the environment. On the one hand, it offers a wide-ranging portfolio of standardized sampling, testing and analytical methods to deal with specific environmental challenges. On the other hand, ISO is leading a strategic approach by developing environmental management system standards that can be implemented in any type of organization in either public or private sector (companies, administrations, public utilities).

ISO has developed more than 350 International Standards (out of a total of more than 11400) for the monitoring of aspects such as the quality of air, water and soil. These standards are a means of providing business and government with scientifically valid data on the environmental effects of economic activity. They also serve in a number of countries as the technical basis for environmental regulations.

The standard is based on the principles of continual improvement is environmental performance of an organization.

ISO 14001 is structured for internal audit.

For third party certification, an organization must demonstrate:

I. It has implemented all the elements of environmental standards.

II. It has an effective system for maintaining its compliance to applicable laws & regulations.

The standard has utilized the concept of Plan, Do, Check, Act, thus causing improvement.

Environment objectives-long term plans

Targets-Short term plans, prepared to achieve objectives in a structured way.