Procedures for developing ISO 14001 Audit Checklist

There are many benefits with developing an EMS - Environment Management System. However when an Organization wrong there are likely to waste both human and financial resource and disillusion their employees. ISO 14001 Audit Checklist guides the user through the setting-up, implementation, verification and certification of an environmental management system.

There are many steps involved with the development and implementation of an effective EMS. Organizations may benefit by developing their own ISO 14001 Audit Checklist that verifying detailed steps involved with ISO 14001 development and implementation. ISO 14001 Auditor should be able to plan and resource effectively, has good communication and leadership skills. Preferably ISO 14001 Environmental Auditors should complete environmental auditing training and have attained an appropriate level of education.

Steps for effective Environment Management System:

• The first step on ISO 14001 should be to ensure senior management and have committed to participate in its development, implementation and management.
• Human, financial and physical resources must be identified. Permanent resources should be allocated. Responsibilities must be assigned and agreed at this stage.
• EMS perimeter organizations should be defined i.e. the identification of products, services and activities it covers and what is excluded.
• An initial environmental review must be conducted in accordance with Environmental management - Environmental assessment of sites and organizations. The level of detail required should be assessed prior to its commissioning.
• The current activities and environmental management procedures should be incorporated in ISO 14001 EMS. These activities and the current procedures should be identified during the initial stage of the environmental review and analysis of the EMS standard.
• Organizations must plan for the systematic development and implementation of the EMS elements. Plans should include implementation requirements, education and training needs, internal audits and time to close all the shares, the time to run the system (collection of recordings to show that implementation) and demonstrating continuous improvement. This must be completed before the ISO 14001 certification
• ISO 14001 Checklist should be developed in collaboration with environmental management systems - General guidelines on principles, systems and support techniques.

* Organizations must determine if they have the skills and resources to develop an ISO 14001 internal EMS or whether they should outsource its development. Often, the developed systems can be more complicated than they should be, somewhat confusing and difficult to manage and do not actually reduce environmental risks and improve performance. Hire a consultant must overcome this, but remember not all Consultants have the same experience and qualifications, and unfortunately it is still quite common for consultants to produce unhealthy EMS. ISO 14001 Checklist developed by engaging Environmental Consultant, specializing in the management of environmental risks and EMS as well as having adequate qualifications and experience may be considered.

John Villiers has published many articles regarding ISO Certification. John has rich experience as a online publisher and prepared various Certification documents as per ISO guideline since large amount of years in his professional career.