Integration with Existing procedures

Much of what an organization must do in an ISO 14001 EMS is probably already being done.No organization can operate without some environmental programs in place. These programsmay need modification to comply with the ISO 14001 standard, but they serve as a goodstarting point to begin construction of an ISO compliant EMS. In fact, a good way to look atyour EMS Manual is to view it as a road map. It will tell people where to find programs theorganization uses to handle environmental concerns such as: wastewater systems operationalmanuals, air permit operating requirements, hazardous wastes handling procedures, materialspurchasing requirements, and so forth.A well-conceived ISO 14001 EMS will use existing environmental programs and proceduresas a foundation. It will also include the business management practices of the companywherever possible. An example of this would be tying environmental impacts of raw materialspurchases into an existing procedure to review raw materials specifications for engineeringrequirements and consistency. Many firms already have such procedures in place.Other types of program integration may include integrating cost accounting practices withenvironmental operational practices. Many organizations cannot actually determine wheretheir environmental dollars go. As a result, they cannot identify opportunities for financialimprovement in environmental practices. Without such information, the environmentalmanagement of an organization is difficult. If management cannot see any cost benefit inenvironmental decision making, the managers usually take the least costly option. Activitybasedcosting allows a more comprehensive understanding of how environmental expensesare accrued by process and product rather than by facility or region. Then process control andproduct design can be reviewed to see if costs associated with their environmental impactscan be minimized. This is a good example of what ISO 14001 hopes to accomplish--goodfinancial management leading to better environmental control.