Information and Advisory Note Number 46 Back to menu
1 1 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) aim to manage the environmental
impacts of an organisation and to ensure that corporate environmental policy and
environmental legislation are complied with There are signs that EMS are
beginning to be applied in areas where natural heritage gains can be made
1 2 This Note introduces Environmental
Management Systems and relevant standards
that specify the main elements of an EMS.
This new and rapidly developing field is full of
confusing terminology
2 1 About 200 pieces of new environmental
legislation have been introduced in Europe
over the last 20 years (Hillary 1994) Much of
this is 'command and control1 in type.
Responses have been characterised by the
implementation of ad hoc reactive measures
to protect the environment and costly
enforcement to ensure compliance. Analysis
of environmental disasters has shown
management systems breached through
inadequate safeguard and lack of effective
practices (Welford and Gouldson 1993) In
addition to the stronger legislative context,
there has been increasing public concern,
more environmental issues to deal with (e.g.
global climate change and loss of biodiversity)
and financial pressures on organisations to do
more for the environment.
2 2 More recently the trend has been towards applying the 'voluntary principle'
and the
introduction of market mechanisms for environmental protection. Some companies
have taken a proactive stance, based on broader environmental management and the
recognition of a range of benefits. This includes the development of
Environmental Management Systems and Environmental Auditing.
3.1 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are designed to enable organisations to
target, achieve and demonstrate continuous improvement in environmental
performance as one integrated management process. An EMS should provide clear
environmental objectives and targets procedures and practices, roles and
responsibilities. They work together towards reducing negative impacts and
enhancing positive effects.
3.2 Information and communication flows are clearly defined in an EMS. Effective
systems are comprehensive in that they cover all activities and
responsibilities. They are documented, including policies and procedures, so
that any item can be
traced and audited. For commitment to the aims, training promotes understanding
and staff involvement.
3 3 There are a number of standards, schemes and voluntary codes relating to
EMSs The EMS is the management system itself. A standard sets out the
requirements that the system has to meet if it is be certified or verified.
3 4 The two main standards are
3 5 The two schemes are:
4 1 Environmental Management Systems in the UK are voluntary The European EMAS
Regulation (referred to as EMAR) establishes a scheme for voluntary
participation.
4 2 A number of companies have developed their own internal codes of practice,
often based on voluntary industry-based codes of practice These include the
international Chamber of Commerce's 'Business Charter for Sustainable
Development' (ICC 1991), the Confederation of British Industry's 'Environmental
Auditing Guidelines for Business' (CBI 1990) and the Chemical Industry
Association's (CIA) 'Responsible Care Programme'. These are intended to guide and
inform internal management procedures Some trade associations, such as the
European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) and the CIA, require the
implementation of the 'Responsible Care Programme' as a precondition of
membership.
4.3 The underpinning concept behind an EMS is a management loop or spiral of
continuous improvement A generic EMS is illustrated in Figure 1, showing the
plan, implementation, monitor, audit and review stages of an EMS Environmental
audit is one specific stage within the cycle It is used to periodically check
compliance with legislation, polices and objectives, and the efficiency of the
system.
Figure 1 - Generic EMS cycle
4 4 The key elements of EMAS, which also relate to the main specifications of BS7750
are outlined below The terms given are from EMAS
4 6 The coverage of an EMS vanes according to the nature of the organisation and
the evaluation of environmental effects. Criteria could be incorporated into
polices, objectives and targets, monitoring and auditing programmes to manage
impacts on the natural heritage.
4 7 BS7750 and other standards stress that the cyclic order is to be used
flexibly and that any one component can be revisited at any time. Because of the
aim to incrementally improve environmental performance, the standards allow EMSs
to build up comprehensive coverage in time beyond the basic requirement to
comply with environmental regulations. They are not prescriptive in the absolute
level of environmental performance that must be achieved. Environmental
objectives and targets are set internally, and may reflect external influences,
where relevant to the business.
4 8 BS7750 was the first national EMS
standard The EC Eco-Management and
Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the draft ISO
14000 series currently under development,
are international standards. Both are
generally comparable and compatible with
BS7750. There is considerable debate
surrounding the equivalence of their
respective requirements. One of the key
differences is that EMAS requires
participating companies and organisations to produce an independently verified
Environmental Statement for public scrutiny BS7750 only requires the
Environmental Policy to be published.
4 9 Validation is performed by independent accredited verifiers or certifiers.
Accreditation to ensure professionalism is obtained through meeting
accreditation standards The aim of verification is to confirm that everything is
in order and that continuous improvement in environmental performance really is
taking place It is accomplished through reviews of documents and data sources,
site inspections, interviews and, where needed, sampling and measurement. Once
validated, the company or organisation can apply to the Competent Authority
(Secretary of State for the Environment for EMAS and UK-EMAS and BSI for BS7750)
to place the site or organisation onto a public register. After4.10 Table 1 provides a summary of the requirements of the various EMS
standards, regulations and voluntary schemes.
Table 1. Comparison of Standards, Schemes and a key voluntary code.
4.11 Key practices relate to meeting performance standards, work instructions,
maintaining records, monitoring performance, internal and external reporting and
communications. An essential part of the EMS is the audit and management review,
aimed at ensuring that the EMS is fit for purpose and working properly.
412 In identifying significant environmental issues to be addressed by the EMS,
an organisation should take account of, and prioritise the interests and views
of, its various stakeholders These include the public, employees, financial
investors and customers.
4 13 Only Industrial manufacturing
companies are eligible for EMAS, which is targeted at individual sites The UK -
EMAS, based on EMAS, is aimed at Local Authorities Any operational unit
(department, division, section, site or defined service function or the
organisation as a whole can apply BS7750 and ISO 14000 are open to any sector,
organisation or site.
4 14 The EMAS for Local Government (UK-
EMAS) was adapted from the industrial
scheme and jointly established by the DoE,
Local Government Management Board
(LGMB), Scottish Office and local authority
associations. It was piloted by a number of
authorities, including Fife Regional Council
and Ross and Cromarty District Council UK-
EMAS has been promoted by LGMB and
leading authorities as an important means for
driving Local Agenda 21, and as a way of
structuring the management of both Direct
and Service effects on the environment (DoE
1995). The steps and terminology are similar
to those of EMAS As any operational unit can
apply for registration under the scheme,
safeguards have also been built in to prevent
departmentalisation. These include the
adoption of an environmental policy for the
authority as a whole and a commitment to
seek corporate registration by a self
determined date.
5 1 Despite the need to invest resources in developing and applying an EMS, including staff, time and money, there can be a range of potential benefits These can be considered as environmental and managerial
Environmental benefits
Management benefits
6 1 There is a global movement away from ad hoc schemes towards national and
international standards While there has been a good response to BS7750, it is
likely that through the increasing globalisation of trade, international
standards such as ISO 14001 will become more prominent. There are already signs
that US companies with established environmental management procedures (notably
in the chemical sector) are taking steps to adapt their management systems in to
implement ISO 14001 on a world-wide basis.
6 2 There are moves to harmonise the growing range of different environmental
management standards The European standards organisation, CEN (Centre for
European Normalisation), is currently assessing whether ISO 14001 meets the
requirements of EMAS If the European Commission decides that it does meet the
requirements, ISO 14001 will be adopted as the standard for EMAS In this case
BS7750 will be withdrawn and certified companies will be regraded. This would
clear the way for a single environmental management standard which is recognised
world-wide.
6 3 Some of the larger companies in the chemical industry have integrated EMSs
and environmental auditing with environmental assessment. This allows a more
complete handling of environmental issues
Environmental risks or obligations are picked up through pre-acquisition audits
of new sites Potential impacts are predicted by the environmental assessment and
mitigation measures, along with monitoring needs, are identified. They then
become incorporated within the EMS and the corporate commitment to continual
improvements in environmental performance. This type of integrated approach
could be applied to other sectors, such as road construction, where major
developments occur and which have an on-going maintenance need
6.4 World-wide trends in environmental
management are moving towards
performance beyond compliance, which may
be helped by the presence of an EMS There
is an increase in consumer awareness which
will act as a driving force in promoting
environmental change Future developments
are likely to involve the integration of
environment and health and safety into one
management system Increasingly,
sustainable development is the goal for EMS practice Indicators of sustainability
provide a framework for the identification of significant environmental effects
which are the cornerstone of an EMS In the public sector, Local Agenda 21 will
be an important stimulus for developing EMS and environmental auditing.
7 1 The environmental benefits contribute to natural
heritage gains The improved
environmental performance that should result from the uptake of EMSs by
companies, public bodies and non-government organisations (NGOs) should become
more apparent, especially through the presentation of Environmental Statements.
There are opportunities here to influence the consideration of natural heritage
issues (ERM 1996)
.
7.2 The natural heritage is not a key component of EMSs and environmental
auditing at present, but could be incorporated The range of issues addressed
could be broadened to cover those concerned with natural heritage. This could be
achieved by influencing the implementation and practice of EMSs Identifying
environmental effects with impacts on the natural heritage could be included,
along with setting targets to reduce those effects and monitoring the
improvements achieved through implementing
the EMS. The checklists used by auditors and the initial environmental review
could refer to natural heritage interests.
7 3 Firstly, designated sites and protected species could be noted In terms of
compliance with regulations, those that relate to the natural heritage could be
incorporated into the registers of environmental legislation, especially if
there is likely to be impact from direct or service effects. An example would be
the requirements of the Habitats Directive which extend beyond site boundaries
into wider countryside issues.
7.4 There has been some activity in developing environmental auditing and EMSs
in agriculture (Edward-Jones et al 1992) and other land management sectors, such
as golfing (EGAEU 1995). With development and guidance there are further
opportunities for encouraging consideration of natural heritage concerns.
BSI (British Standards Institute) 1994. BS7750 Specification for environmental
management systems BSI, London
CBI (Confederation of British Industry). 1990 Narrowing the gap Environmental
auditing guidelines for business CBI, London
DoE (Department of the Environment) 1995 EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme A
participants guide. DoE, London.
DoE (Department of the Environment). 1995. EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
for UK Local Government An introductory guide. DoE, London
CEC (Council of the European Communities). 1993 Council Regulation (EEC) No
1836/93 of 29th June 1993 allowing voluntary participation by companies in the
industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme Official Journal
No L168, 10/07/93
ERM (Environmental Resources
Management) 1996 Environmental Audit and Assessment concepts, measures,
practices and initiatives Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 46. SNH, Battleby
ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) 1991. ICC guide to effective
environmental auditing ICC Publishing, Paris
Hillary, R. 1994. The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme A practical guide Business
and the Environment - Practitioners Series Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham
International Standards Organisation 1995 Specification for an environmental
management system Committee Draft
Edward-Jones, G , Gotts, D and McGregor, M J 1992 Environmental auditing and its
relevance to agriculture. Farm Management, Vol 8 No 2
EGAEU (European Golf Association Ecology Unit) 1995 The development of a
Pan-European Environmental Management Programme for golf courses Technical Paper
EGAEU, Dorking, Surrey
Welford, R and Gouldson, A. 1993 Environmental Management and Business Strategy
Pitman Publishing, London
Julian Holbrook, Environmental Audit and Appraisal Officer, Environmental Audit Branch
This Note is partly based upon a study commissioned by SNH, which was carried out by Environmental Resources Management (ERM1996)
Julian Holbrook
Environmental Audit Branch
Research and Advisory Services Directorate
2 Anderson Place
EDINBURGH EH6 5NP
Telephone 0131-446 2455