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ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems

By Ed Bones

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Published: 03Nov2008
Word count: 400
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Those of us closely involved with management system development and improvement are frequently consulted on the relative merits of separate rather than integrated systems for these two standards - and of course other combinations.

Avoiding the trap of siding with a particular faction within the organisation posing the question, the logical solution is to integrate the systems from the outset. Much of the required material for the environmental standard already exists as part of the quality management system, and the advantage of having one overall management task is surely a real benefit.

The review status of the two standards at the current time (2008) introduces a possible cause for separating the systems, particularly with regard to the differing emphases on statutory and legal obligations required by the documents. The forthcoming revision of ISO9001, supposedly more closely aligned with the latest ISO14001, should remove this apparent anomalous condition, but it should be remembered that an organisation is bound by legal requirements regarding the environment, whether or not it adopts the environmental standard.

The cost of developing a new Environmental management system for registration purposes would not be significantly different to the cost of a similar Quality management system, while the cost of adding an environmental aspect to an existing quality system should be considerably less. This is simply because of a similar basic document framework with compatible requirements. A measure of training would be required, both for management and staff, while any internal auditors might require significant levels of training and mentoring.

There is another economic advantage to combining the two systems - particularly if neither exists from the outset of the project - the opportunity to dispense with the bureaucracy that so frequently results from having a management system with a formal registration, specifically the anomalous Quality Manager appointment. This post is a throwback to the application of Quality Assurance within manufacturing, when Chief Inspectors became managers of quality, and business continued in the way it always had. With the introduction of a combined quality and environmental management system the way is clear to dispense with the management post, redistribute responsibilities to those able to deliver results against those responsibilities, and recognize control and development of the management system to be one of Systems Integrity, with little to do with product or service delivery performance.

Outsourcing part or all of this newly defined assignment would result in improved performance at significantly reduced cost.

Ed Bones formed Meon Consulting to assist clients with managing their businesses in a manner compliant with ISO 9001/14001. Ed had earlier held a number of senior positions with big companies in the UK, Europe and the USA. He has written and delivered lectures on quality improvement and TQM. http://www.rent-an-auditor.co.uk. Please visit http://www.rent-an-auditor.co.uk/contactus.html to obtain your FREE copy of the Presentation.

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