Define and Scope

The defining stage consider areas such as :

• Rationale
• Benefits and outcomes
• Commitment
• Scope including goals and functions
• Compatibility with other systems
• Initial responsibility for EMS development

Establishing the Commitment of the Organisation

It is intended that the implementation of an environmental management system described by the standard will result in improved environmental performance. The standard is based on the concept that the organisation will periodically review and evaluate its environmental management system in order to identify opportunities for improvement and their implementation. Improvements in its environmental management system are intended to result in additional improvements in environmental performance.

The environmental management system provides a structured process for the achievement of continual improvement, the rate and extent of which will be determined by the organisation in the light of economic and other circumstances. Altough some improvement in environmental performance can be expected due to the adoption of systematic approach, it should be understood that the environmental management system is a tool which enables the organisation to sets it self. The establishment and operation of an environmental management system will not, in itself, necessarily result in an immediate reduction of adverse environmental impact.

An organisational has the freedom and flexibility to define its boundaries and may choose to implement this International Standard with respect to the entire organisation, or to specific operating units or activities of the organisation. If this Intenational Standard is implemented for a specific operatong unit or be used to meet the requirements of this International Standard, provided that they are applicable to the specific operating unit or activity taht will be subject to it. The level of detail and complexity of the environmental management system, the extent of documentation and the resources devoted to it will be dependent in the size of an organisation and the nature of the activities. This may be the case in particular for small and medium enterprises.

Integration of environmental matters with the overall management system can contribute to the effective implementation of the environmental management system, as well as to efficiency and to clarity of roles.

This International Standard contains management system requirements, based on the dynamic cyclical process of "plan, implement, check and review".

The system should enable an organisation to :

1. establish an environmental policy appropriate to itself;
2. identify the environmental aspects arising from the organisation's past, existing or plenned activities, products or services, to determine the environmental impacts of significance;
3. identify the relevant legislative and regulatory requiremets;
4. identify priorities and set appropriate environmental objectives and targets;
5. facilitate planning, control, monitoring, corrective action, auditing and review activities to ensure both that the policy is complied with and that the environmental management system remains appropriate;
6. be capable of adapting to changing circumstances.