14001-Looking for some examples of Environmental Aspects and Compliance Obligations/Audits

[Jim R]

My company had a 3rd party certification audit of our IMS (9001, 14001) last week. We had a perfect QMS (zero findings) and received 4 minor NC's on the EMS portion. We are a brand new manufacturing plant and this was our first audit - and my very first being responsible for the EMS portion. I put a significant amount of effort into it and thought everything was appropriate, but I was mistaken.

Can anyone provide me with completed examples (or steer me to where I can find some) of Environmental Aspects & Impact, and Compliance Obligations? I am requesting so I can get some ideas for CI of those two areas, and to make sure I have all pieces of the puzzle for my corrective action. My request is for US companies.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Hello JimR, everything depends on what you do and how it impacts the environment. So I have questions:

1. What is your industry?
2. What product do you make?
3. Do you do secondary processes like painting, plating or coating?
4. What kind of chemicals do you use to make your product?
5. How much hazardous waste do you generate, and what kind?
6. Do you/does your employer own your building?
7. If #6 is yes, does your building have an industrial AC unit and if so, how much coolant is in it by weight?
8. Do you have waste water treatment?
9. Do you need to filter or treat your exhaust?
10. Do you use, store and/or dispose of batteries, spray paint cans, or pesticides?

 

[Randy]

Can anyone provide me with completed examples (or steer me to where I can find some) of Environmental Aspects & Impact, and Compliance Obligations?

Take your copy of ISO 14001, go to the back and look at "ANNEX A" it gives you all the advice you need, I just covered the exact subject yesterday during a "Pre-certification/Gap analysis". I was able to expand because that type of audit isn't accredited and they will be using another CB for their certification, so no conflict.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Good point Randy, Annex A is very helpful and often underused.

 

[Randy]

Good point Randy, Annex A is very helpful and often underused.

Yep along with Section/Clause 3 Terms and Definitions.

Another highly un-used section that can help erase a lot of pain, not only for EMS, but QMS & OHS as well is A.3 Clarification of concepts (examples)
— The words “appropriate” and “applicable” are not interchangeable. “Appropriate” means suitable (for, to) and implies some degree of freedom, while “applicable” means relevant or possible to apply and implies that if it can be done, it needs to be done.
— The word “consider” means it is necessary to think about the topic but it can be excluded; whereas “take into account” means it is necessary to think about the topic but it cannot be excluded.
— “Documented information” replaces the nouns “documentation”, “documents” and “records” used in previous editions of this International Standard. To distinguish the intent of the generic term “documented information”, this International Standard now uses the phrase “retain documented information as evidence of....” to mean records, and “maintain documented information” to mean documentation other than records.

 

[Jen Kirley]

There is an article by David Ayers on the subject.

 

[John Broomfield]

Jim,

Don’t forget to include significant environmental aspects that have beneficial impacts on the environment such as developing ever more efficient ventilation systems, switching to renewable sources of energy or eliminating single use plastics.

Consider how your company’s services and products help improve your customers’ environmental performance.

Too often we focus on doing less bad stuff and forget all the good that we do.

Employees should feel good about being part of the Flaktgroup Management System!

John