An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a systematic approach that helps organisations identify, manage, monitor, and continuously improve their environmental performance. It provides a framework for organisations to integrate environmental considerations into their overall management processes and make informed decisions regarding environmental aspects and impacts.

The mostly widely recognised standard for environmental management systems is the ISO 14001 standard, which is recognised globally. ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an EMS.

Construction companies, with reference to BREEAM, in particular, may also be aware of the BS:8555 standard, which is particularly useful at a Project level, as an initial ‘foot in the water’ step, on the path to ISO 14001.

An EMS typically covers the following areas:

Environmental Policy: Organisations establish a written environmental policy statement that outlines their commitment to environmental protection and compliance with relevant regulations.

Planning: This stage involves identifying environmental aspects and impacts associated with the organisation’s activities, products, and services. Environmental objectives and targets are set, and plans are developed to achieve them.

Implementation and Operation: This phase focuses on putting the plans into action. It includes allocating responsibilities, providing resources, and establishing operational controls to manage environmental risks and ensure compliance.

Checking and Corrective Action: Regular monitoring and measurement of environmental performance are conducted to ensure that objectives and targets are being met. Non-conformities and incidents are investigated, and appropriate corrective and preventive actions are taken.

Management Review: Top management reviews the EMS periodically to ensure its continued suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. This includes reviewing environmental performance, compliance, and the need for improvements.

Legal Compliance: Organisations in the UK must comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations. An EMS helps identify and ensure compliance with applicable requirements. Failure to comply with these legislations could leave you open to legal action.

The specific coverage of an EMS can vary depending on the nature of the organisation, its activities, and the environmental aspects and impacts associated with them. The EMS should be tailored to the organisation’s unique circumstances and address the environmental issues most relevant to its operations.

WPSCC Ltd has a great deal of experience providing Environmental Management Systems at ALL levels, from a simple Environmental Policy, which may be required for inclusion in a Tender submission, through the BS:8555 standard for an EMS, to accrue BREEAM credits for a Construction project, all the way to assisting an organisation to achieve and maintain the ISO 14001 standard for their EMS.

Please contact us today and tell us what you need / want.