Step-by-step guide on how to implement an Environmental Management System and how to prepare for ISO 14001:2015 certification

1. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental
Management System Implementation
Handbook
© deGRANDSON Global (October 2015)
with Examples, Sample Procedures and Records

2. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Guidebook
© deGRANDSON Global (2015) Page 2 of 106
Usage note
The intent of this document is to help you recognize the activities related to establishing an
Environmental Management System (EMS). This document should not be considered as professional
consulting for establishing or implementing an EMS.
Use of this guide does not guarantee a successful implementation nor an implementation that is ready
for certification. If you want to implement an EMS, consider hiring a professional consultant who
specializes in implementing ISO 14001 compliant EMS.
Table of Contents
USAGE NOTE .........................................................................................................................................2
OVERVIEW OF AN EMS.........................................................................................................................5
1 PURCHASE A COPY OF THE ISO STANDARDS .................................................................................8
2 INITIATING THE EMS PROJECT ........................................................................................................9
2.1 Obtain management support (#1) ..........................................................................................................................9
Example of a high-level Environmental Policy Statement: ........................................................................................ 10
2.2 Assemble EMS Project Team (#2) .........................................................................................................................12
2.4 Prepare EMS Project Plan (#3 cont’d) ..................................................................................................................13
3 THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT OF THE ORGANISATION......................................................... 15
3.1 Determine the environmental context of the organisation (#4) ........................................................................15
3.2 Identify the applicable legal and regulatory requirements (#5) ........................................................................15
Example of addition of applicable Legislation to Scope of EMS Statement............................................................. 16
3.3 Determine other interested party’s needs (#6) ..................................................................................................16
4 DEFINE AND ESTABLISH AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM................................. 17
4.1 Define the Scope of the EMS (#7) .........................................................................................................................17
Example of Scope of EMS Statement ......................................................................................................................... 18
4.2 Prepare detailed Environmental Policies (#8) .....................................................................................................19
Example of Environmental Policy.................................................................................................................................21
4.3 Define Key Roles and Responsibilities (#9)......................................................................................................... 22
5 THE PLANNING PHASE....................................................................................................................24
2.3 Complete Gap Analysis (#3)...................................................................................................................................12

3. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Guidebook
© deGRANDSON Global (2015) Page 3 of 106
Example of Table of Contents for Risk Assessment Document ................................................................................ 25
5.1 Develop processes to address environmental risks, opportunities and potential emergency situations (#10)
......................................................................................................................................................................................26
Identifying Aspects ......................................................................................................................................................28
Evaluating Impacts.......................................................................................................................................................29
5.3 Determine specific compliance obligations related to the environmental aspects (#11 cont’d) .................... 32
5.4 Prepare plan to address environmental aspects, obligations, risks and opportunities (#12) ......................... 33
5.2 Establish EMS Objectives and plan to achieve them (#13 & 14) .........................................................................34
6 OPERATIONAL PLANNING AND CONTROLS.................................................................................36
6.1 Determine the operational planning and control needs (#15) ...........................................................................36
6.2 Identify Monitoring and Measurement Needs (incl. Calibration) (#16)............................................................ 37
6.3 Establish Operational Controls and Monitoring (#17)........................................................................................38
7 DEVELOP THE MANDATORY AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED (#18)........................39
7.1 The specific requirements for documented information…................................................................................40
7.2 Example listing of EMS Policies and Procedures.................................................................................................40
7.3 The specific requirements for retained documents… ........................................................................................42
8 DETERMINE AND SECURE THE REQUIRED RESOURCES (#19) ....................................................43
9 PRE-LAUNCH ACTIVITIES............................................................................................................... 44
9.1 Deliver Employee Awareness Training (#20) ......................................................................................................44
9.2 Establish Internal and External Communications (#21)......................................................................................45
9.3 Finalise & issue EMS Documentation (#22).........................................................................................................46
Example of Employee Training Record incl, competency check: ..............................................................................48
10 GO LIVE! IMPLEMENT POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES PLAN
10.1 Deploy Policies .....................................................................................................................................................49
10.2 Implement Procedures........................................................................................................................................49
10.3 Control of nonconforming outputs....................................................................................................................50
5.2 Determine the organisation’s environmental aspects and their corresponding impacts (#11) ...................... 27
9.4 Complete Job-specific Training (#23)..................................................................................................................47
(#24).................................................................................................................................................... 49

4. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Guidebook
© deGRANDSON Global (2015) Page 4 of 106
11. ESTABLISH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PROCESSES (#25)........................ 51
12. MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EMS IMPLEMENTATION (#26)..................................53
12.1 Conduct periodic evaluation of performance and effectiveness of EMS ........................................................ 53
12.2 Conduct periodic evaluation of fulfilment of compliance requirements........................................................54
12.4 Conduct periodic Management Reviews (#28) .................................................................................................56
13. IMPLEMENT CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT (#29) ........................................................................58
Example: of an Improvement Plan outline .................................................................................................................58
14. PREPARE FOR A CERTIFICATION AUDIT.................................................................................... 60
15. ASK FOR HELP............................................................................................................................... 61
APPENDIX A: THE PATH TO ISO 14001 EMS CERTIFICATION...........................................................62
APPENDIX B: TYPICAL DOCUMENTATION........................................................................................63
Basic EMS Policy Manual.............................................................................................................................................63
Environmental Management Program Description..................................................................................................63
EMS Procedures........................................................................................................................................................... 63
Other typical EMS Documentation.............................................................................................................................64
APPENDIX C: THE LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENTS & THE DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT (DFE) MODEL
..............................................................................................................................................................65
APPENDIX D: SAMPLE PROCEDURES................................................................................................67
EMSP-001: Environmental Aspects & Impacts Procedure..........................................................................................67
EMSP-002: Environmental Aspects & Impacts Register.............................................................................................67
EMSP-003: Control of Maintained Documentation....................................................................................................67
EMSP-004: Control of Retained Documentation........................................................................................................67
EMSP-005 EMS Internal Audits....................................................................................................................................67
EMSP-006: EMS Management Reviews......................................................................................................................67
EMSP-007: EMS Emergency Response .......................................................................................................................67
EMSP-008: Environmental Management Programs (EMPs)......................................................................................67
EMSP-009: Non-conformance and Corrective Action ................................................................................................67
APPENDIX E: ISO 14001:2015 VS. ISO 14001:2004 - A SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON......................... 105
12.3 Conduct periodic Internal Audits (#27) .............................................................................................................. 55