Environmental Management System
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a structured framework to manage an organization's environmental performance and minimize its environmental impact. An ISO 14001 certified EMS ensures the public and other stakeholders that an organization is doing everything in its power to effectively manage their environmental responsibilities.
Some main components of our EMS include:
- Creating an Environmental Policy
- Identifying all legal requirements
- Identifying and tracking Environmental Objectives and Actions to minimize significant impacts
- Monitoring and auditing to ensure EMS compliance
- Allocating environmental roles and responsibilities
- Creating EMS documentation (guidelines) such as an EMS Policy and Procedure Manual, Operating Procedures Manuals, Emergency Response Procedures Manuals etc.
Benefits of an EMS
An EMS allows an organization to analyze, control and reduce the environmental impact of its activities, products and services. Some benefits also include:
- Improved environmental performance
- Reduced pollution and resource consumption
- Reduced liability and improved legal compliance
- Reduced operational costs and increased operational efficiency
- Fewer environmental and safety related accidents
- Heightened employee environmental awareness and staff involvement
- Enhanced public trust and confidence in operations and management
- Improved management of population growth and aging facilities
ISO 14001
The Regional District of Nanaimo's Wastewater Services Department was first ISO 14001 Certified in August 2005. The overall aim of ISO 14001 is to support environmental protection and prevent pollution in balance with socio-economic needs. ISO 14001 is an international EMS standard based on a model of continual improvement.