Environment Management System

The environmental aspects and the impacts associated with typical industrial or commercial sites can be both wide and diverse. The following table gives some examples:
 

Many companies find it difficult to assess their impact on the environment and tend to rely on an ad hoc approach to dealing with issues such as health and safety, emission limits and noise pollution. But it is much better to deal with these issues together - and an environmental management system (EMS) will help you to:

• monitor environmental performance;
  
• comply with environmental regulations and environmental reporting;
  
• identify opportunities to reduce waste;
  
• reduce your operating costs.

How will an EMS benefit your company

• It will help you meet demands from customers that want to ensure their environmental credentials
  
• It will help you to meet current and anticipated legislation.
  
• It will help you to reduce waste and hence operating costs.
  
• It will make your company more competitive.
  
• It will demonstrate your company's responsible concern for the global, regional and local environment.
  
• mearsecroft.co.uk can help you develop your own EMS following the guidelines laid down in recognised
• national or international standards, for example ISO 14001 and EMAS. 

A successful EMS depends on obtaining commitment from senior management, involving all employees and setting realistic targets.
 
The potential benefits of implementing an EMS

Financial 

• Identification of opportunities to reduce waste and thus reduce raw material, utility and waste disposal
• costs
  
• Increased profits
  
• Reduced risk of fines for non-compliance with environmental legislation
  
• Lower insurance premiums as risks and liabilities are reduced
  
• Retaining site asset value
  
• More easily obtainable bank loans
  
• Attracting shareholders and investors

• Improved process control
  
• Reduced use of raw materials and consumables
  
• Less waste and rejects

• Improved products
  
• Competitive advantage
  (preferred supplier status)

• Structured approach to environmental issues and continual improvement
  
• Keeping ahead of environmental legislation
  
• Better relations with regulators.

• Improved relations with local community and environmental groups
  
• Improved public image
  

• Improved working environment
  
• Reduced potential for environmental incidents 
  
• Increased employee motivation and environmental awareness
  

• Conforming to legal requirements
  
• Avoiding penalties for pollution
  

What does EMS involve?

Get started by obtaining top level commitment, appointing a project leader and team, and allocating resources.
 
Carry out an initial review, including:

• gathering data;
  
• preparing a list of environmental aspects and impacts;
  identify significant aspects and impacts for your company;
  
• listing relevant legislation.
  
• Start writing a site environmental policy.

Set objectives and targets as part of an environmental improvement programme.

Develop a management programme which includes:

• written procedures to control activities with a significant environmental impact.
  
• operational controls to ensure completeness and supervision of those procedures 
  
• keeping records of actions
  

Carry out regular reviews of the programme.

For more information contact Mearsecroft
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