ISO EMS refers to an Environmental Management System (EMS) that meets the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard. The ISO 14001 standard is the globally recognized benchmark for environmental management systems.
Understanding ISO 14001 and EMS
An EMS, based on ISO 14001, provides organizations with a structured framework to manage and minimize their environmental impact. It's a systematic approach to continually improve environmental performance.
Key aspects of an ISO 14001 based EMS:
- Framework: ISO 14001 provides a framework for designing and implementing an EMS.
- Environmental Performance: The system focuses on the continual improvement of an organization's environmental performance.
- International Recognition: ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard.
- Management System: It is a management system for addressing environmental concerns.
In essence, if an organization says it has an "ISO EMS," it likely means they have implemented an Environmental Management System certified to, or aligned with, the ISO 14001 standard. The EMS helps organizations to:
- Identify their environmental aspects (elements of their activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment).
- Determine the significant environmental impacts (the changes to the environment resulting from those aspects).
- Comply with applicable legal and other requirements.
- Set environmental objectives and targets.
- Implement programs to achieve these objectives and targets.
- Monitor and measure their progress.
- Take corrective action when needed.
- Continually improve their environmental management system.
