How to define Environment Target for ISO 14001 EMS certificaiton

When a company or organization decide to implement ISO 14001 EMS certification, they should devise a certain set of practices which should be pretty specific regarding what must be achieved in terms of your actual management system. What will be the approach to the existing process and how can it be devised along with the “plan, do, check, act” (PDCA) cycle? When you answer these question and implement these practices in the right way then it should drive your organization to have much better and improved results. The results of these practices should then be reviewed and amended to confirm that there is continual improvement. When you learn more about the PDCA cycle you will be able to devise and manage important the approaches and methodologies efficiently and effectively. However, if you're building ISO 14001 EMS (Environmental Management System) for the first time in your organization, you may have to be compelled to set your initial environmental targets for the system. It might sound easy and it should preferably be, however, are your concepts of what the targets that ought to be as similar as your top management’s? And are they the same as those of the employees? And after you decide, should you tend to be conservative or aggressive? What about your customers – what will they think about you once they see the targets you pursue?

Views on setting up EMS targets

The newer and latest editions of ISO 14001 EMS certification can see some changes from the prevailing standard. Among these, there is an enhanced involvement in, and commitment to, the EMS in your organization. So, it stands to reason that a company’s top management can play an integral and vital role in setting up environmental targets while implementing ISO 14001 EMS certification standards. Your organization could be in the field of construction, electronics, chemical, or service business, however, the possibilities are that top management won't keep in the mind regarding every potential facet or subject, therefore how are you able to ensure that the views of all employees are taken into account?

Review and Implement Everyones Input

Before the latest edition of ISO 14001 EMS standard, organizations usually used feedback forms and suggestion boxes to seek feedback from workers. But if you consult an ISO certification consultant, they will suggest that a worker forum could be a way more economical, efficient and dynamic technique to collect the feedbacks and ensure that those employee inputs in the defining process of environmental targets. This sort of forum encompasses a multi-functional purpose among the ISO 14001 target-setting process which are as follows:

• To ensure the opinions of all departments are received and taken into consideration
• To educate and re-establish the importance of devising and implementing the ISO 14001 EMS certification standard
• To demonstrate to the ISO consultant or auditor and your client base, that a forum-based input has taken into account

So, it is now quite possible that you will effectively formulate a lot of rounded set of targets for your ISO 14001 EMS, that shows what is more essential and significant for your business across all areas and divisions. You now have to be compelled to make sure that they're specific in terms of accomplishment, responsibility, and time periods. Don’t be afraid to be aggressive because sometimes narrowly missing a massively aspirational target will be better than achieving a modest one. Always keep in mind that the Management Review method are often accustomed to review and amend these environmental targets in the present and future, therefore don't be afraid to be optimistic!

So, now you will be able to see how targets are often defined and determined, however apart from the apparent environmental advantages, what will be the other advantages and how those advantages will these assist your organization?

Other Benefits Environmental Targets

The first and foremost advantage of devising sensible, responsible and well-crafted environmental targets is pretty obvious that is it will benefit and improve the environment and natural resources for the future generations. But, there are manifold reasons for utilizing the considerably high periods of your time and obtaining the right amount of internal involvement in setting your targets, as follows:

• Improved cost savings in your business
• Alleviating future risks
• Improved Reputation – it's sensible to be perceived as “green” and “forward thinking”
• Acquire more customers and Retain the existing customer base
• Prepared for future legislation changes

Therefore, as you can see, there also are several indirect advantages from employing a democratic approach to make sure that your environmental targets are as sensible as possible. Your organization's management team could have the final say, however presenting them with the maximum amount of knowledge and data will only be a positive. Also, you can have several alternative concerns to satisfy before you acquire ISO 14001 EMS certification for your organization. If this is the case, you will be able to assure that if you can perform against these targets, then you can easily accomplish with your own way to do all of your parts to conserve the earth’s natural resources for the future generations.