Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultancy

[Sidney Vianna]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

I stii expect answers to my question (I mean, examples). I will appreciate that

Armani, could you please re-state your question? The clearer the question, the more likely you will get answers. If you are asking if a 3rd-party auditor could/should question the adequacy, materiality and completeness of an organization declared impacts, aspects and significance determination, the answer is most definitely yes. As mentioned already, preferably during the stage 1 phase of the audit.

 

[rashid143 - 2008]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

Newly i joined ISO certified company and i want some material and information for environment impect and aspects anybody help me please

 

[Sidney Vianna]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

Newly i joined ISO certified company and i want some material and information for environment impect and aspects anybody help me please

Your best bet:

Check also the attached document.
http://www.epa.gov/OW-OWM.html/iso14001/ems2001final.pdf

 

[armani]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

I'll try to restate my question: at which extent a company working in design field has to identify the aspects-impacts for the products it designs (besides the aspects-impacts of its ...office activities,related to design: waste generated by IT equipment used by employees, noise, use of natural resources - electricity, watre and so on...)?

 

[Sidney Vianna]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

I'll try to restate my question: at which extent a company working in design field has to identify the aspects-impacts for the products it designs (besides the aspects-impacts of its ...office activities, related to design: waste generated by IT equipment used by employees, noise, use of natural resources - electricity, water and so on...)?

Most EMS auditors would not delve in the "Design for Environment" aspect of an organization's product design processes. As a side comment, ISO/TR 14062 deals with guidance on environmental aspects of product design. When it comes to ISO 14001 implementation and certification, the focus are on aspects and impacts of the organization operation, it's emissions, by-products, etc...But I think you are on the right track because ISO 14001 requires the organization to consider the environmental aspects of it's products as well and not only it's activities.

 

[Dr. L. Ramakrishnan]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

Hi

In addition to what Sidney has said, it is important to look at the legal environmental aspects (like RoHS, WEEE, packaging and other similar legislations of countries where the product is likely to be used or to be exported) at the design stage. Addressing these issues at the design stage will reduce the risk to the organization later in the life-cycle of the product. This subject may be addressed as a 4.3.1 or 4.3.2 issue. You can add value to the organization by raising these audit quesitons to reduce future liabilities to the organization.

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan

 

[armani]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

Hi

In addition to what Sidney has said, it is important to look at the legal environmental aspects (like RoHS, WEEE, packaging and other similar legislations of countries where the product is likely to be used or to be exported) at the design stage. Addressing these issues at the design stage will reduce the risk to the organization later in the life-cycle of the product. This subject may be addressed as a 4.3.1 or 4.3.2 issue. You can add value to the organization by raising these audit quesitons to reduce future liabilities to the organization.

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan

OK...but hat about design of buildings, railways , bridges and so on? What kind of aspects / impacts does the organisation performing design must consider (obviously not the same as the organisations implementing the design)??

 

[Dr. L. Ramakrishnan]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

OK...but hat about design of buildings, railways , bridges and so on? What kind of aspects / impacts does the organisation performing design must consider (obviously not the same as the organisations implementing the design)??

If the product (service) of the organization is to design builidings, railway bridges etc., then one has to see impacts of these on the environment. Depending on the situation, one has to include aspects arising from the Environmental Impact Assessment, Green Building Codes etc., in designing buildings etc. The auditor has to apply his mind to assess if these are relevant to the organization (or the project) designing such buildings etc. In many countries, for big projects, there are legislative requirements on these issues.

 

[armani]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

If the product (service) of the organization is to design builidings, railway bridges etc., then one has to see impacts of these on the environment. Depending on the situation, one has to include aspects arising from the Environmental Impact Assessment, Green Building Codes etc., in designing buildings etc. The auditor has to apply his mind to assess if these are relevant to the organization (or the project) designing such buildings etc. In many countries, for big projects, there are legislative requirements on these issues.

In that case, the organisation has a very complex work to do...but this work, to asses the env impacts , isn't the responsibility of those constructing buildings and so on? What is the difference of approach between those two kind of organisation (designers and constructors)?
Does anybody have an example of evaluation in design activity??

 

[Helmut Jilling]

Re: Environmental Impacts for Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultanc

If the product (service) of the organization is to design builidings, railway bridges etc., then one has to see impacts of these on the environment. Depending on the situation, one has to include aspects arising from the Environmental Impact Assessment, Green Building Codes etc., in designing buildings etc. The auditor has to apply his mind to assess if these are relevant to the organization (or the project) designing such buildings etc. In many countries, for big projects, there are legislative requirements on these issues.

Very good. They should also consider the impact to the land and surrounding features where they are building - streams, lakes, ground water, trees, etc. The materials to be used, are a key factor. Today, companies are trying to be more "green" in their building. These are all factors which could be considered.