The newly
revised version of ISO 14001 (2015 version) relies heavily on risk
based thinking. The focus is more on risk identification and
managing risk, rather than on corrective- preventive philosophy of the
previous version. The risk based approach
requires that environmental risks
be identified for processes as well as
products and services, throughout the organization. The same
thinking needs to be applied for the processes of external providers. The top
management must create awareness of the need for risk based thinking.
Advantages of the risk
based approach
This
approach provides for a proactive, strategic response towards all real as well as potential environmental
issues. The key advantages would result from the focus it provides towards identification of
potential incidents and elimination or the minimization of root causes
of the risks.. This philosophy can have
positive influence on persons
taking decisions regarding processes, products and services, who will also take
responsibility for protecting the
environment.
Compliance
to the requirements of the standard along with legal/regulatory requirements can be ensured with the guidance of experts,
such as ISO 14001 consultants.
These consultants can also provide training on awareness of risk based
approach for the entire organization. They can help the organizations to
achieve ISO 14001 certification in a time bound manner.
Risk related clauses to be
complied with for ISO 14001
certification
Following
are the important ISO 14001 requirements regarding risk management. Clause 4.1 of ISO
14001: 2015 highlights need for understanding business environment (context),
and external as well as internal issues that impact environmental performance.
These concerns could relate to water, air quality, usage of land, legal as well
as regulatory aspects, sociopolitical issues, organizations technology, products,
services and processes. The company must
plan to minimize or eliminate the undesired consequences of the risks.
Enterprise
must determine risks applicable to its
business, related to environment, along with legal compliance requirements.
Example could be risk arising due to emissions, natural flooding, spillages or leaks, contamination as
well as water scarcity.
Clause 5.2 prescribes that policy established, must include enterprise’s commitment to pollution control, environment protection along with improvement approach.
Clause 6.1 explains the need for action-plan to effectively
address risks to environment. Clause 6.1.2 covers environmental aspects. It involves
determination of part of processes and activities that adversely influence the environment. Aspect can include
direct as well as indirect influence. impact is the extent the activity
adversely affects the environment.
Aspect will also depend on the technology used for the operations. Clause 6.1.3 explains voluntary obligation as well as legal/
regulatory compliance requirements.
Clause 6.2.1
stipulates the requirement for establishing
environmental objectives based on policy framework already prescribed
under clause 5.2. These objectives must
include time bound plans, roles and responsibilities and
other resources needed. The environmental objectives must be integrated into operational
plans well as business processes. The risk based thinking should
percolate to life cycle of the products.
Clause 8.3
prescribes the need for emergency response as well as preparedness response. Risk
based thinking requires aspect identification as well as classification. Emergency
can arise due to negative impact of various aspects. Likelihood of emergency
situation needs to be assessed. In a petroleum installation, for instance fire may
be an aspect that needs emergency response system. If a certain aspect is
considered significant, preparing emergency response plan is a must.
Clause 8.4
requires the risk based monitoring and
measurement of process, products, services of external providers. Clause
9.1.2 covers the stipulation for evaluation of the EMS for
regulatory as well as legal compliance.
Thus we find that Risk based thinking is
embedded in the entire ISO 14001
standard for the environment management system requirements.
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