A gap analysis is a good way to determine what the current situation is, and where action is critically needed. The following list provides some of the key issues that need to be completed for an EMS in each case. Click on the title to get the criteria. Click on the title again to close that title's criteria.
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1: Environmental Policy |
An environmental policy has been defined by top management that includes the following:
- It is appropriate for the nature, scale and environmental impacts of the company's activities, products, and services.
- It includes a commitment to continual improvement in the prevention of pollution.
- It includes a commitment to comply with relevant environmental legislation, regulations, and requirements.
- It provides a framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets.
- It is documented, implemented, and maintained.
- It has been communicated to all employees.
- It is available to the public.
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2: Environmental Aspects
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- A procedure exists to identify environmental aspects and determine which have significant impacts on the environment.
- Significant aspects are considered when setting environmental objectives.
- This information is kept up-to-date.
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3: Legal and Other Requirements
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- A procedure exists to identify and have access to legal and other requirements pertaining to the environmental aspects.
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4: Objectives and Targets
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- These have been established at each relevant function and level.
- Legal and other requirements were considered in establishing them.
- Significant environmental impacts were considered in establishing them.
- Technological options were considered in establishing them.
- Financial, operational, and business requirements were considered in establishing them.
- The views of interested parties were considered in establishing them.
- They are consistent with the environmental policy.
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5: Environmental Management Programs
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An environmental management program for achieving objectives and targets has been established and includes:
- Designation of responsibility for achieving objectives and targets at each relevant function and level of the company.
- The means and time-frame for accomplishment.
- The program applies to new developments, new or modified activities, products, and services.
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6: Structure and Responsibility
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- Roles, responsibilities, and authorities are defined, documented, and communicated.
- Resources are provided that are essential to the implementation and operation of the environmental management system.
- A specific management representative (one or more) has been appointed by top management with defined roles, responsibility, and authority for:
- Establishing, implementing, and maintaining the EMS.
- Reporting on the performance of the EMS to top management.
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7: Training, Awareness, and Competence
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- Training needs are identified and all personnel whose work may create a significant impact upon the environment have received appropriate training.
- Procedures are established and maintained to make appropriate employees aware of:
- The importance of conformance with environmental policy and procedures and the requirements of the EMS.
- The significant environmental impacts of their work activities and environmental benefits of improved personal performance.
- Their roles and responsibilities in achieving : conformance with environmental policy, procedures, and EMS.
- The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures.
- Personnel performing tasks which can cause significant environmental impacts are competent.
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8: Communication
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The company has established and maintains procedures for:
- Internal communications among levels and functions.
- Receiving, documenting, and responding to relevant communication form external interested parties.
- The company has considered processes for external communication on its significant environmental aspects and recorded its decision.
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9: EMS Documentation
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- Information describing the core elements of the EMS and their interaction has been established and maintained.
- Information providing directions to related documentation has been established and maintained.
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10: Document Control
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A procedure has been established and maintained for controlling documents to ensure that:
- They can be located.
- They are periodically reviewed, revised, and approved by authorized personnel.
- Current versions are available at all appropriate locations.
- Obsolete documents are promptly removed.
- Obsolete documents retained for preservation purposes are identified as such.
- Documents are legible, dated, readily identifiable, maintained, and retained.
- Procedures exist and are maintained for creation and modification of documents.
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11: Emergency Preparedness and Response
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- There are procedures for identifying the potential for and response to accidents and emergency situations.
- There are procedures for preventing and mitigating the environmental impacts that may be associated with emergencies.
- These are reviewed and revised as necessary.
- Procedures are periodically tested where practicable.
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12: Monitoring and Measurement
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- Procedures exist and are documented to regularly monitor and measure the key characteristics of operations having a significant impact on the environment.
- This includes recording information to track performance, relevant operations controls, and conformance with objectives and targets.
- Monitoring equipment is calibrated and maintained and records of the process retained.
- A procedure exists for periodically evaluating compliance with legislation and regulations.
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13: Nonconformance and Corrective and Preventive Action
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- Procedures exist and are maintained for defining responsibility and authority for handling and investigating nonconformance and taking appropriate action.
- Corrective or preventive action are appropriate.
- Changes in procedures resulting from corrective and preventive action are documented.
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14: Records
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- Procedures are established and maintained for the identification, maintenance, and disposition of environmental records. These include training and audit results.
- Records are legible, identifiable, and traceable to the activity, product, or service involved.
- Records are easily retrievable and protected from damage, deterioration, or loss.
- Retention times are established and recorded.
- Records demonstrate conformance to the standard.
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15: EMS Audit
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A program and procedures for periodic EMS audits is established and maintained. The audits determine:
- Whether the EMS conforms to the ISO 14001 standard.
- Whether it has been properly implemented and maintained.
- The program provides information on the results of audits to management.
- Procedures cover the audit scope, frequency, and methods, and responsibilities and requirements for conducting audits and reporting results.
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16: Management Review
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- Top management regularly reviews the EMS to ensure its suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. The review is documented.
- Information necessary for management to do this is collected.
- The review shall consider the need for changes to policy, objectives, and other elements of the EMS resulting from audit results, changing conditions, and the commitment to continual improvement.
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