Environmental Management
Under the Paris Agreement countries agreed to hold the global temperature increase due to the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to below 2 °C, aiming at 1.5 °C. Achieving the Paris Agreement will require an innovative approach and contributions from all of us as well as our organisations.
Climate change, sustainability and environmental impact are major focuses in the global drive to near zero emission. If we are to make a real impact this will need a collective drive for constant improvement combined with the ability to think creatively about how we do things.
Environmental management system (EMS) plays a vital role to measure, manage and control a business’ environmental impact.
What is CARES Environmental certification to ISO 14001?
An EMS to ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard and provides a framework for a structured, systematic approach to the achievement of its aims and objectives.
Like ISO 9001 or ISO 45001, it is a ‘common sense’ set of requirements designed to monitor and improve the environmental performance, putting in place a basic set of management controls within a formalised documented system. ISO 14001 also enables the company to integrate its EMS with other management systems such as with ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 as they all have been designed according to Annex SL which is the overarching high-level structure having identical core text applicable to other management system standards. Meanwhile additional discipline-specific requirements are applicable to each relevant management system standard.
It can be applied to a business of any size and discipline and therefore is suitable for use by companies in the reinforced concrete, steel manufacturing and processing sectors.
Why is it needed?
The key benefits from implementing an effective EMS include:
- Operating in an environmentally responsible manner
- Demonstrating compliance with current and future statutory and regulatory requirements increasing leadership involvement and engagement of employees addressing local concerns leading to improved relationships with these stakeholders
- Minimising the potential for environmental incidents and mitigating any impacts
- Encouraging better environmental performance of suppliers by integrating them into the organisation’s business systems
- Providing a competitive and financial advantage through improved efficiencies and reduced costs
- Improving the company’s reputation,gaining a competitive advantage and the confidence of stakeholders through strategic communication
ISO 14001 is based on Annex SL (ISO high level structure HLS) that brings a common framework to ISO management system standards, helping to keep consistency, alignment with different management system standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 45001, and apply common language across all integrated system
Construction clients, designers and contractors are under ever increasing pressure to be ‘best practice’ operators in every aspect of their business and environmental considerations are becoming increasingly more important. They therefore look to suppliers of products and services to behave in a responsible manner, with the credentials to demonstrate the actions they are taking and the impact that is making
Environmental management system certification is the responsible step for businesses who want to lead the way in the industry and it makes business sense.
How do you achieve certification?
Companies wishing to achieve certification must operate in accordance with a documented environmental management system that satisfies the requirements of ISO 14001.
Companies that wish to embark on the path to environmental management systems certification can contact CARES to obtain some guidance on how to proceed.
The assessment procedure commences with a detailed review of the Management System Manual (or equivalent documented evidence) against the requirements of ISO 14001. Providing the Management System Manual meets the requirements of ISO 14001, a two-stage assessment of the company’s system is carried out. The assessment team may comprise one or more auditors depending upon the size and complexity of the company's activities. After a successful completion of the assessment and the payment of fees a Certificate of Approval will be issued.
Why choose CARES?
As an independent profit for purpose company CARES is completely focussed on the quality of the products and processes we certify. We know that a business relationship is based on mutual trust and understanding. Our experts who have hands on experience in this industry work alongside our customers to get under the skin of their operations ensuring we always deliver the quality assurance that our brand stands for. The CARES difference is the guarantee of an independent and impartial review and the unrivalled knowledge provided by our specialist team. Achieving certification to ISO 14001 requires considerable effort and commitment and it is frequently the beginning of improvements to process and business performance. It makes sense to work with specialists in your field to achieve this standard. Once approval is issued CARES provides free marketing support to promote successful certification and allows a certificated company to display the relevant CARES "ISO 14001 management system certification mark" on publicity and stationery.
All certified companies are automatically included in the CARES Certified Companies section of this website.
If you are investing so much of your time and business resource in an Environmental Management System, make sure you entrust your assessment to a certification body that understands the product, processes and supply chain. Only CARES offers industry experts with hands on industry experience.