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Organizations of all kinds are increasingly concerned with achieving and demonstrating
sound environmental performance by controlling the impacts of their activities, products and services on the environment,
consistent with their environmental policy and objectives. They do so in the context of increasingly stringent legislation,
the development of economic policies and other measures that foster environmental protection, and increased concern expressed
by interested parties about environmental matters and sustainable development.
This International Standard requires an organization to: |
| a) Establish an appropriate environmental policy. |
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| b) Identify the environmental aspects arising from
the organizations past, existing or planned activities, products and services, in order to determine the environmental impacts
of significance. |
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| c) Identify applicable legal requirements and other
requirements, to which the organization subscribes. |
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| d) Identify priorities and set appropriate environmental
objectives and targets. |
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| e) Establish a structure and a programme(s) to implement
the policy and achieve objectives and meet targets. |
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| f) Facilitate planning, control, monitoring, preventive
and corrective actions, auditing and review activities to ensure both that the policy is complied with and that the environmental
management system remains appropriate |
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| g) Be capable of adapting to changing circumstances. |
ISO 14001 is a process-oriented standard; it implies a commitment to continuous improvement. |
| The most important benefit of ISO 14001implementation
is the monetary benefit derived from reduced energy costs as a result of increased energy efficiency. The other benefits
include improved industrial relations with the government through following of governmental regulations. In addition, greater
shareholder and customer confidence is observed. Also, there is increase in labour productivity due to improved work ethics
and corporate identity. Since an EMS according to ISO 14001 is based on the participation of the entire staff, it enhances
the integration of employees and motivates them to actively participate in changes within the organization. |
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| The sales are also benefited as a result of positive
marketing effects due to certification and improved industrial relations. |
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