ISO 14000
In the present day, environmental matter is not limited only in one country or specific area. The environmental impact effects everywhere and leads to problem all over the world.
Environmental conservation has become so complicated that it causes pressure to all business organizations. The International Organization for Standardization had led to the development of the International Standard for environmental management system series (ISO 14000), which are:
- Environmental management systems (EMS)
- Environmental auditing and related environmental investigations (EA)
- Environmental performance evaluation (EPE)
- Environmental labeling (EL) and
- Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Who should implement ISO 14000?
Any organization: manufacturers and service organizations.
Any activities of each organization may cause the environmental aspects and impacts such as noise, dust, waste, contaminants in manufacturing process and uneffectively resources consumption in servicing. These can be minimized by implementing EMS.
Although each country has already had her own environmental regulations, organizations are able to apply ISO 14000 series effectively within their system on voluntary basis and the benefit obtained is not only for organizations themselves but their society also.
Benefits
Long term cost saving: the resources have been used discreetly resulting in less impact on the environment. This consequently minimizes the capital cost.
Trade benefit: the implementation of ISO 14000 series enhances trade negotiation. This helps organizations to maintain market share and become more competitive in penetrating new markets.
Improving an organization’s image: as the ISO 14000 series involves in improving the environment. The organizations are deemly recognized by the community.
Obtaining an EMS certificate: the organizations who comply with the ISO 14001 requirements are entitled to the certificate which can be used for trade advertisement or publication which will support and promote the organizations’ reputation.