5468_14001pitfalls_0206.qxd 5/6/06 9:36 AM Page 16
THE ROUTE TO 14001:2004 THE ROUTE TO 14001:2004
Avoiding the Pitfalls Avoiding the Pitfalls
DECIDING WHICH ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS This process of deciding ‘significance’ is absolutely crucial since
ARE ‘SIGNIFICANT’ these identified ‘Significant Aspects’ must all be managed within
Having identified all aspects which impact on the environment,
the EMS, either by an Operational Control Procedure or by an
the process of rating them for significance can be carried out.
Objective and Target (for those aspects chosen as improvement
projects), or indeed by both of these mechanisms.
This crucial process, together with a thorough knowledge of legal
and other similar requirements, will provide the foundations of the
INDICATORS OF SIGNIFICANCE
EMS. Its results must be reflected in Policy; it will help decide the
There are many ways of deciding significance, but there are a few
areas where continual improvement will function; will link to
common indicators. So a few simple pointers:
training needs and connect to virtually every part of the EMS.
If legislation (or other similar requirement) applies to the aspect
The importance of this process cannot be overestimated (yet it is and its impact - it must be rated ‘significant’. (Breaking the law
covered by just fifteen words in the requirements of ISO 14001!) would be significant!)
ISO 14001 states ‘in order to determine those (aspects) which
If you lack data or knowledge on the impact you need to identify
have, or can have, significant impacts on the environment’
it as ‘significant’ until you have the data to decide otherwise.
If you get this process wrong the whole system will be suspect. (The precautionary approach.)
By now, if all has gone according to plan, the EMS will have
If the magnitude of the impact on the ‘environment’ (see definition
identified Aspects of processes which impact on the
above) is sufficient, the aspect is ‘significant’. Here you need
environment, those under: Normal, Abnormal, and Potential
good knowledge of the interactions of your processes with
Emergency conditions, issues from the past, the present and
the environment.
those related to future plans, those which can be controlled or
You may also choose to include other criteria appropriate to your
influenced as well as the positive and negative impacts.
business, eg
So having identified this bucketful of aspects you need to have a
a73 Cost
process for significance rating - identifying those which must be
a73 Quantity
managed and those which are not significant (yet).
a73 Views of interested parties
It is helpful to refer to the definition of environment in par. 3.2 of
a73 Risk assessment
the Standard. It defines environment as: ‘surroundings in which
Whatever the method, it needs to be clearly defined in procedures,
an organisation operates including air, water, land, natural
tested, and repeatable. You also need to keep records of the
resources, flora and fauna, humans and their interrelation.’
process to aid future reviews and for internal audit.
So if the impact is not on one of these receptors it cannot be an When third-party auditors test this part of your EMS they have to
environmental impact and the aspect which gives rise to it is not carry out a number of tasks:
an ‘Environmental Aspect’.
a73 They examine the site and business to identify the likely
significant aspects, and to ensure that all relevant areas
and processes have been considered.
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