It can be hard to know where to start to implement an Environmental Management System with multiple clauses to follow in order to achieve ISO 14001. You don’t want to miss anything out, but you also don’t want to go into too much detail in one section.
Focusing solely on one aspect of an environmental management system may mean that other sections suffer. It can be tricky to find the balance.
It is key to be methodical and organised. The auditor will be assessing your environmental management system in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard so structure your environmental management system in line with this.
Make sure all sections of your Environmental Management System are completed and up to date and check your work through internal auditing by yourself and colleagues.
Sometimes a fresh set of eyes will pick up something you may have missed. It doesn’t matter if your colleague doesn’t have experience with ISO 14001 as long as you provide them with a list of questions to check.
For example, is there evidence of top management involvement in your targets and objectives. The internal auditor will go through your Environmental Management System and ensure your organisation has completed all of the correct documentation.
In short the answer to this is no. You can structure your system in whatever way you wish to as long as it ticks all the criteria boxes.
The best way to structure your Environmental Management System is in line with the clauses. This way when the auditor checks your hard work against the standard it will be easy for them to tick items off.
Organising your Environmental Management System in this way will life as easy as possible your you and the auditor.
Ask for help where needed. Setting this up alone can feel overwhelming. Use our coaching program ‘Sustainability solved by Will Richardson’ to ensure you tick all the boxes and use a structure that works for you. We have a Linkedin community of like-minded individuals all working towards ISO 14001, join them on this journey to share our knowledge, tips and tricks.
Keen to discover more? Check out our coaching programme!