ISO 14001 standard is a guide for Australian and global organisations to take care of the immediate environment surrounding their workplace and curb any severe impact caused by their operations on the surroundings.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard is one of the most popular standards in Australia as it not only helps businesses create and implement a robust environmental management system (EMS) but is also easy to integrate with other standards like ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ISO 45001 Workplace Health and Safety Standard, etc.
In this blog, Anitech offers you a practical guide on implementing ISO 14001 in SMEs.
ISO 14001 Certification
ISO 14001 certification offers certification for a globally recognized environmental management system. It is designed to help organizations minimize their environmental impact and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
To obtain ISO 14001 certification, SMES should demonstrate a commitment to environmental management and sustainability. This involves implementing an environmental management system that meets specific requirements and standards. Once the system is in place, a third-party auditor will assess whether the company complies. If everything checks out, the company will be awarded ISO 14001 certification, which can help improve its reputation and competitiveness in the marketplace.
How to Implement ISO 14001 in SMEs?
Implementing ISO 14001 can be a complex process, but it is also an essential one. By implementing ISO 14001, your organization can establish an effective environmental management system that will help reduce environmental impact, meet legal requirements, and continually improve environmental performance.
Below given are the steps you can take to implement ISO 14001 at your small business in Australia:
1. Get Management Buy-in:
Implementing ISO 14001 requires buy-in from top management, i.e., you’ll need to get your executive team on board with the initiative and ensure they’re committed to providing the necessary resources.
2. Develop an Environmental Policy
To start with, your organisation should establish an environmental policy. This policy should outline your organization’s commitment to environmental management and detail its actions to achieve its goals.
3. Define Scope:
Besides, one of the first steps in implementing ISO 14001 is to define the scope of your environmental management system. It includes identifying the activities, products, and services within the system’s scope.
4. Understanding Requirements of ISO 14001 Standard:
It is essential to have appropriate knowledge of what the standard requires. It includes understanding the key elements of an environmental management system and the requirements for documentation, training, and awareness.
5. Conduct Initial Environmental Review:
Furthermore, should conduct an initial environmental review. It will help you identify potential environmental risks and opportunities and determine whether your organization complies with relevant environmental regulations.
It will help you identify your organization’s significant environmental aspects and impacts. These activities, products, and services significantly impact the environment. Once you have identified these aspects and impacts, you can develop objectives and targets to address them.
6. Develop and Implement Environmental Management System
Small businesses can develop and implement an environmental management system (EMS) using the information obtained in steps one and two. An EMS is a framework that helps you systematically, comprehensively, and proactively identify and manage your environmental responsibilities.
7. Monitor and Measure Performance
SMES should monitor and measure your environmental performance to ensure your EMS is effective. Your organisation can organise monitoring programs, conduct audits, and review environmental data.
8. Continually Improve your EMS
Finally, you need to continually improve your EMS by setting new objectives and targets, reviewing your system, and making changes as necessary to ensure that you continually improve your environmental performance.
By following these steps, you can successfully implement ISO 14001 and establish an effective environmental management system that will help you to reduce your environmental impact and improve your environmental performance.
Cost of Developing Plan and Implementing ISO 14001 Standard
The cost of ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) creation and its implementation can differ depending on a number of factors including the size and the structure of the organization, the level of existing environmental management practices, and the scope of the EMS.
Here are some of the key costs to consider:
1. Consulting and Training:
Organizations typically engage consultants or trainers to help them develop and implement an EMS. The cost of these services can vary widely, depending on the level of support needed and the experience and reputation of the consultant or trainer. Expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 for consulting and training services.
2. Internal Resources:
Developing and implementing an EMS requires significant time and effort from internal staff, including senior management time and time from staff involved in implementing the EMS. The cost of internal resources will depend on the Company’s size and the EMS’s scope but can vary from some thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
3. Certification Fees:
Once an organization has developed and implemented an EMS, it can seek certification from an accredited body. Certification fees vary widely depending on the certification body, the organization’s size and complexity, and the EMS’s scope. Expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more for certification.
4. Ongoing Maintenance:
ISO 14001 certification requires ongoing maintenance and continual improvement of the EMS. This includes periodic internal audits, management reviews, and updates to the EMS as needed. The cost of ongoing maintenance will depend on the organisation’s size and complexity and the level of resources dedicated to maintaining the EMS.
It’s also worth noting that the benefits of implementing an ISO 14001 EMS can outweigh the costs over time in terms of improved environmental performance, reduced environmental risks and liabilities, and enhanced reputation and stakeholder engagement.
How can Anitech help?
An organisation should opt for a certified consultant who has the required knowledge and problem-solving skills like the ones from Anitech.
Our expert ISO 14001 consultants can guide you in creating and implementing a robust environmental management system (EMS) that complies with all legal requirements. We will also assist you in getting ISO 14001 certification and in its compliance.
SMEs as well as big Companies can reach out to us at 1300 802 163 or email info@anitechgroup.com
Our team will be happy to help!
