PHASE 6 - Environmental management system acknowledgement
For organisations looking to gain recognition for their EMS to either EMAS registration or ISO14001 accreditation, phase 6 outlines the preparatory stages for such work in detail.
Stage 1 focuses on preparing for external assessment against ISO14001. Stage2-6 inclusive, concentrates more closely on environmental performance and the communication of information.
As part of this final stage, the organisation will where appropriate:-
- Provide evidence that the EMS has been implemented and managed prior to a final certification audit against all the requirements of ISO14001. An organisation will also have conducted a full internal environmental audit and at least one comprehensive management review
- Undertake review of baseline assessment, environmental aspects, legal compliance, employee involvement, environmental policy and audits to confirm they meet the requirements of EMAS.
- Assess the environmental performance evaluation (EPE) system developed through phase1-5 to ensure that the data collected and information produced is sufficient for external use and/or verification as part of EMAS
- Produce an ‘environmental statement’ in accordance with EMAS requirements
The phase 6 achievement criterion is partly optional depending upon whether the organisation is pursuing:-
- 3rd party certification against ISO14001
- Registration under the European EMAS regulation or;
- Reassurance for customers and other stakeholders through external communication and reporting of performance information
Full EMAS registration can only be achieved through an appropriately accredited EMAS verifier and by registering the organisation with the appropriate competent body as required by the EMAS regulation.
For further details regarding EMAS, visit www.emas.org.uk or www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas
The BS 8555 standard ‘BS 8555:2003: Environmental Management System. Guide to the phased implementation of an environmental management system including the use of environmental performance evaluation’ and BS EN ISO 14001:2004: EMS Requirements with guidance for use are available through our online shop at [page:shop].
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