posted 09 August 2001 11:16 PM               

Once you integrate the corresponding elements, all you will need to do is devlope those that are parculiar to 14000 alone, such as regulatory requirements, your aspect identification and significant aspect management, objectives and targets, emergency preparedness, and all the other things. Combine the quality and environmental policy into one policy.

Use the same basic audit, corrective and preventive action, document control and that stuff which is in place.

Remember, whatever you do, you need to address all 17 required elements of the standard. How you address tham and to what extent is your business.

Don't re-invent the wheel. Keep it simple. ISO 14001 only has requirements for 14 procedures and most are in place with organizations have ISO 9000 in place.

I hope this helps. (I've never been to Venezuela)

posted 11 August 2001 07:38 PM               

It would be best if you had both QMS and EMS integrated into the same manual (so many of the elements compliment each other (as I stated earlier).

It is totally up to you as to how you handle it. There is no right or wrong.

Fidel is too long in the tooth to be much trouble. I think he is slowing down and recognizes the failures of the system he tried to engineer. If we (Americans) would back off some and give him some space he may lighten and loosen up. He originally probably meant well for his people, but the folks he surrounded himself with, plus our arrogance bred distrust and hard feelings. (I can't believe I said that about a communist dictator).