Comprehensive Steps in Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Aspects According to ISO 14001
Adebayo Olanrewaju CSSMBB?, MNSE, R. Engr
Founder at Olanab | Consultant/Trainer: Digital Manufacturing, ISO Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 22000...) & Process Excellence | Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt | COREN Registered Engineer, AMIChemE, AMNIM
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS) , offering organizations a framework to manage environmental responsibilities systematically. A critical part of this standard involves identifying and evaluating environmental aspects —those elements of an organization’s activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment.
Understanding and evaluating these aspects is fundamental for developing an EMS that minimizes environmental impacts. Here’s a detailed overview of the comprehensive steps involved in the identification and evaluation of environmental aspects according to ISO 14001.
1. Understand the Scope of Your EMS
Before embarking on the identification process , organizations must define the scope of their EMS. This means determining the boundaries within which the system will operate, including:
Clearly defining this scope helps in understanding what environmental aspects should be identified and evaluated.
2. Establish Environmental Policy and Objectives
An organization’s environmental policy serves as the foundation for identifying and managing environmental aspects . The policy, along with clearly defined objectives and targets, helps to ensure that the identification process aligns with the overall environmental goals of the organization.
3. Define a Systematic Approach for Identification
ISO 14001 does not prescribe a specific method for identifying environmental aspects , but it requires a systematic and consistent approach. Organizations must decide whether they will use:
A multidisciplinary team involving personnel from various departments ensures a broad perspective in identifying all potential aspects.
4. Collect Information on Activities, Products, and Services
This step involves gathering information on:
Site visits, operational data, flowcharts, and process maps are commonly used to gain a detailed understanding of the organization's operations and their interactions with the environment.
5. Identify Environmental Aspects
Once the organization has mapped out its activities, products, and services, the next step is to identify the environmental aspects associated with them. These aspects can be divided into:
Examples of environmental aspects:
6. Determine Environmental Impacts
For each identified aspect, the organization must determine the environmental impact , which refers to any change to the environment (whether adverse or beneficial) resulting from the organization’s activities. This includes:
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7. Evaluate Significance of Environmental Aspects
Not all environmental aspects identified will be significant. ISO 14001 requires organizations to evaluate the significance of each aspect to prioritize them for management and improvement efforts. This evaluation typically considers the following factors:
Organizations often use a risk matrix or a scoring system to evaluate and rank these aspects, allowing for a more structured approach in determining their significance.
8. Document the Process
Proper documentation is a key requirement in ISO 14001 . The organization must keep detailed records of the identification and evaluation process , including:
Documentation ensures that the process is transparent, consistent, and repeatable, and provides evidence for audits and reviews.
9. Implement Controls and Set Objectives for Significant Aspects
Once significant environmental aspects have been identified, the organization should develop controls to manage them. These controls can take many forms, such as:
For significant aspects, the organization must also set measurable environmental objectives and targets in line with its environmental policy. These objectives should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
10. Regular Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
The identification and evaluation of environmental aspects is not a one-time process but part of a cycle of continuous improvement . ISO 14001 requires organizations to:
Internal audits and management reviews are essential tools for ensuring that the system remains effective and that environmental aspects are continuously managed and improved.
Conclusion
The identification and evaluation of environmental aspects is a fundamental requirement of ISO 14001 , ensuring that organizations can systematically understand and manage their environmental impacts. By following a structured approach—starting with defining the scope, through identification, evaluation, and management —organizations can prioritize significant environmental aspects, mitigate their impacts, and demonstrate environmental responsibility to stakeholders.
This process also facilitates continuous improvement, allowing organizations to respond to new environmental challenges while maintaining compliance with environmental laws and regulations .
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