Green signals

An increasing number of contractors are accredited to the ISO 14 001 environmental management system standard – many more are being asked by clients if they intend to do so. The standard has recently been revised to make it more compatible with ISO 9001: 2000, but other changes point it in the direction of ensuring legal compliance and environmental performance.

Contractors who already harness ISO 14 001 to deliver environmental performance may regard the revision as little more than ‘toning up’ the standard. However, some may find that certification will need more effort, and that third party certification is more expensive.

The changes in ISO 14 001: 2004 include:

• new documents – although some of the drive behind the revision was to cut down on paperwork, several extra documents are required;
• a documented assessment of the company’s environmental aspects – this requires more than a list of the ‘significant aspects’, the assessment should incorporate services and products. Firms must consider aspects where they have control or influence, which could widen the scope of certification;
• compliance issues – there is a need for the system to identify and support the resolution of legal non-compliance. There is also a requirement to assess how regulations apply to environmental aspects; this involves more than a list of environmental legislation, which has been common practice. Relevant legislation can also include applicable health and safety regulations, such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH);
• emergency preparedness and response – there is specific reference to the review of procedures linked to emergency situations and accidents and tackling adverse environmental impacts;
• non-conformity – while noting non-conformities was always central to ISO 14 001, there is more emphasis on identifying the causes;
• management review – a long list of issues that need to be covered includes: evaluating legal compliance, communication with external parties, environmental performance, the status of corrective and preventive actions, and follow-up from previous reviews.

Clauses in ISO 14001: 2004 that emphasise legal compliance include:

• public commitment to legal compliance;
• full detailed identification of legal requirements;
• how legal requirements apply to environmental aspects;
• objectives/targets/programs;
• comprehensive evaluation of legal compliance;
• corrective and preventative actions where necessary;
• management review.

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has allowed those with ISO 14 001 until May 2006 to upgrade their certificates. Companies who want to gain or renew certification will have to work to the revised standard.

Certification audits

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has published General principles for the assessment of certification bodies for environmental management system certification. This is a useful document for any contractors that are interested in ISO 14 001. It gives a clear indication of what certification auditors (from companies such as BSI, DNV and BVQI) should do to ensure proper compliance with the standard.

Among other things, UKAS has reacted to complaints that too many environmental auditors are long on quality management but short on environmental management skills. There are also indications that assessors are paying more attention to clauses on environmental legislation and performance. However, these developments appear to be increasing the working days required for certification.

The next revision to the ISO 14 001 standard is not expected for several years – the plan is for a joint revision with ISO 9001: 2000.