What do you know about ISO 14001:2015 requirement 7.1? Have you ever wondered why he is so important?
Every single day, the society concerns and demands transparency and responsibilities for a sustainable development, and responsible using resources by organizations involved.
The Environmental Management System (EMS) is an organization that helps others companies to control the environmental impacts of their activities. In this way, managing resoucers.
ISO 14001:2015 is a very important business strategy, as it can be applied on any kind of organization that wants to improve its environmental performance (which should be a model for all companies).
The requirements presente in this standard helps on EMS implementation on companies, aiming at the conformity of their activities with the preservation of the environment. And for the organization to ensure an effective operation, it must consider the resources needed to deliver its services or products.
Therefore, ISO 14001:2015 provides requirement 7.1 “Resources” for this guidance, then the organization will verify what’s necessary to have a continuous improvement of yours Environmental Management System.
In this article, we’ll learn more about how this requirement can help the companies that are environmentally responsible.
What says ISO 14001:2015 requirement 7.1?
Quoting, item 7.1 says:
“7.1 Resources:
The organization should provide the resources needed for the estabilishment, implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the Environmental Management System.“
But, in this specific requirement, we note that the standard determined that the organizations MUST provide the necessary resources for the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the EMS.
Requirement 7.1 is precisely who helps in planning which resources are needed for the organization to correctly carry out its activities.
These resources are essential for an effective work and improvement of the EMS. They can be internal and external, and can also include:
- Human resources;
- Financial resources;
- Technology;
- Natural resources;
- Infrastructure.
Top management must ensure that those with responsibility for the Environmental Management System are supported with the necessary resources. Otherwise, there is no EMS that conforms to the standard.
How to estabilish these resources in an organization
As the standard guides, organizations must establish and identify everything that will be necessary to carry out their process. Thus, the organization can define which resources are available and which are still needed.
Futhermore, everything that was implemented needs continuous maintenance, as required by the standard. After a process has been implemented, all steps that can cause environmental impacts must be identified and operations established to reduce them.
In the last step, the organization can promote constant improvement actions for this process and products.
Continuous improvement is a strategy that must be embedded in the company’s culture, because the procedures for the least possible environmental impact must be constantly reviewed and improved.
All this to improve the positive results for the environment and for companies. Through these actions, the company can:
- Optimize processes;
- Pollute less;
- Optimize production;
- Stimulate sustainable development;
- Reduce waste generation;
- Reduce the risks of environmental accidents.
ISO 14001:2015 requirement 7.1 – Resources for Environmental Management System
The whole process demands an organization of stages, evaluation and determined goals. The ISO 14001:2015 requirement 7.1 guides how we can and should evaluate available resources, organize and propose improvements that bring less environmental impact and obtain more positive results.
Therefore, having an Environmental Management System is essential, whether economic or environmental.
With a well-implemented EMS and the support of the standard, companies can reduce environmental impacts and transform organizations into more sustainable bodies that care about the environment.
Do you like our article? Have any questions? Leave your comment! See you in the next blog post.
