• Assessment

The initial step in any EMS is to assess what impact your business has on the environment. You need to know exactly what processes and activities go on in your organisation, all your inputs and outputs – raw materials, resources and wastage – and how they are currently managed. “You may find some surprises”.

Next, make a list of all the activities that have an impact on the environment. This could include use of raw materials, use of water, and CO2 emissions from energy use. “This list is what the EMS aims to manage, mitigate and control.”

Prioritise this list so you can tackle the most damaging activities first – top should be those activities that could result in your business breaking the law. Make a list of the legislation that affects your business – and keep it up to date!

• Planning

You need to develop a management programme with objectives and targets which are based on the activities on your list. These objectives and targets should be clearly defined, stating how they are going to be achieved and who is responsible.

• Policy

The environmental policy is a statement of your organisation’s commitment to managing your impact on the environment. Make sure you can carry through the commitments you make in the environmental policy.

• Control

Written procedures help ensure your environmental impacts are properly managed. All employees involved with an activity must understand their role in controlling and minimising the environmental impact. “You have to measure it to manage it!”

Monitoring emissions, discharges, environmental incidents, waste generation and disposal / recycling is essential if you are to achieve and measure improvements.

• Emergency response

Make sure you have put controls in place for potential emergencies, such as spillages. Also, include infrequent but planned for events such as delivery of oil or shift changes.

• Feedback

Auditing provides information as to how the system is working and will help you identify areas or improvement. The system must be regularly reviewed by a management team to ensure it is kept up to date especially when new processes come on line. One person cannot do it alone!

By raising awareness of environmental issues within your company you can gain the much needed support for any changes you have to make. Commitment and communication are essential elements of an EMS.