ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Noor Mohd Amin bin Moktar SKM UKM 23/24

Definition of EMS (30 marks)

• Environmental Management: What an organization does to minimize harmful e3ects on the environment, caused by its activities and to continuously
improve its environmental performance.
• EMS: A structured framework that helps an organization achieve its environmental goals through consistent review, evaluation, and improvement of its
environmental performance.
• It involves a systematic approach to managing environmental responsibilities in a manner that is integrated into the overall business processes
• The primary objective of an EMS is to improve environmental performance and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• The EMS framework is often aligned with international standards such as ISO 14000, which provides guidelines for establishing, implementing,
maintaining, and improving an EMS.
• EMS-ISO 14000:
o Covers methods on how environmental management system (EMS) can be used, guidelines on environmental labeling of products, and methods for
assessing the environmental burden of products/services known as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
o More than 20 categories eg: ISO-14001 (main standard), ISO-14004 (guideline), ISO-14031 (environmental performance), ISO-1410-12 (environmental
auditing
o Not an immunity passport to local environmental laws
o It’s a guideline to support environmental acts, no legislation e3ects
o Key components of EMS; 1) Policy development, 2) Planning, 3) Implementation, 4) Evaluation & Monitoring (including auditing), & 5) Review &
Improvement
o Auditing & Management review are 2 important aspects in ISO-14000
o Auditingà to assess the e3ectiveness of EMS, Management review à to ensure all products follow standards, assessment evaluation, to check the
e3ectiveness of auditing & corrective action taken.

Discuss the benefits and strategies of EMS (70 marks)

Benefits:
1 Regulatory • Regulatory Compliance: An EMS ensures that an organization is aware of and complies with relevant environmental laws,
Compliance and regulations, and standards. This helps avoid fines, legal actions, and shutdowns due to non-compliance.
Risk Management Example à international trading requires ISO certification or some environmental labelling for any product to enter their
country
• Risk Management: By identifying potential environmental risks and implementing controls to mitigate them, an EMS helps in
reducing the likelihood of environmental incidents and liabilities.
2 Cost Savings and • Resource EWiciency: An EMS promotes the e3icient use of resources such as energy, water, and raw materials, leading to
EWiciency cost savings. This can result from reduced waste, optimized processes, and lower utility bills.
• Waste Reduction: Systematic waste management practices help in minimizing waste generation and enhancing recycling and
reuse, further reducing disposal costs.
3 Enhanced • Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility enhances an organization's image and reputation
Reputation and among customers, investors, and the public. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and trust.
Market Advantage • Market Advantage: Companies with certified EMS (such as ISO 14001) often have a competitive edge in the market. Many
clients and partners prefer to work with environmentally responsible businesses.
4 Improved • Employee Engagement: An EMS fosters a culture of environmental awareness and responsibility among employees. Engaged
Stakeholder employees are more motivated, leading to higher productivity and morale.
Relationships • Community Relations: By actively managing and reducing environmental impacts, organizations can improve their
relationship with local communities and stakeholders, fostering goodwill and support.
• Build trust and reputation – customer would favor product that are produce using an environmentally friendly system. Loyal
customer, build trust and portray good reputation
5 Sustainability and • Sustainable Practices: An EMS promotes sustainability by integrating environmental considerations into business operations
Long-term and decision-making processes. This contributes to long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
Success • Future Preparedness: With an EMS, organizations can proactively address emerging environmental challenges and trends,
ensuring they are better prepared for future regulatory changes and market demands.
6 Continual • Performance Monitoring: An EMS provides a structured framework for monitoring, measuring, and reviewing environmental
Improvement performance. This helps in identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
• Innovation: Encouraging continual improvement leads to innovation in processes, products, and services, enhancing overall
environmental performance and operational e3iciency.
7 Resource and • Operational Control: Improved operational control reduces environmental impacts such as emissions, e3luents, and spills.
Operational This results in cleaner and safer workplaces.
Benefits • Supply Chain Management: Implementing an EMS can influence the supply chain, encouraging suppliers to adopt
environmentally friendly practices and ensuring the sustainability of the entire value chain.

Strategies:
• EMS strategies are to consider the overall performance of the organization, and how the organization’s business fits into the environment to ensure its
sustainability.
• The main factors to ensure the success of EMS in an organization is the top management's involvement and commitment, employee involvement, integration
into business processes, and continuous improvement.
• Start from building a competence team and a continuous loop of improving the EMS within an organization

1 Environmental • Creating a clear, concise environmental policy is the first step. This policy should reflect the organization's commitment to
Policy environmental protection and improvement, compliance with legal requirements, and continuous enhancement of
Development environmental performance.

2 Planning • Environmental Aspects Identification: Identify and assess the environmental aspects and impacts of the organization’s
activities, products, and services. This helps in prioritizing actions based on the significance of the impacts.
• Legal and Other Requirements: Identify and ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation and regulations.
• Objectives and Targets: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) environmental objectives
and targets. These should be aligned with the overall environmental policy.
 3 Implementation • Roles and Responsibilities: Define roles, responsibilities, and authorities for EMS implementation. Ensure that all employees
and Operation understand their roles in achieving environmental objectives.
• Training and Awareness: Provide necessary training and ensure that employees are aware of the environmental impacts of
their work activities, the importance of conforming to the EMS, and the benefits of improved environmental performance.
• Communication: Establish internal and external communication processes to report on environmental performance and
EMS-related matters.
• Documentation: Develop and maintain documentation to describe the core elements of the EMS and provide direction on
where to obtain detailed information.

4 Operational • Procedures and Instructions: Develop procedures and work instructions to control operations and activities that can have
Control significant environmental impacts.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Plan and implement procedures for identifying potential emergency situations and
accidents and respond e3ectively to mitigate any associated environmental impacts.
5 Evaluation • Performance Evaluation: Monitor and measure key environmental performance indicators to track progress toward achieving
environmental objectives and targets.
• Compliance Evaluation: Regularly review compliance with legal and other requirements.
• Internal Audits: Conduct periodic internal audits to ensure that the EMS is functioning & e3ective as intended and to identify
opportunities for improvement.
6 Review and • Management Review: Top management should periodically review the EMS to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and
Improvement e3ectiveness. This review should consider audit results, the extent to which objectives and targets have been met, and any
changing circumstances.
• Corrective and Preventive Actions: Identify non-conformities and implement corrective and preventive actions to avoid
recurrence and to drive continual improvement.

What an organization does to minimize harmful eWects on the environment, caused by its activities and to continuously improve its environmental
performance.
1-6 plus
7 Waste Implement waste reduction strategies such as recycling, reusing materials, and properly disposing of hazardous substances.
Management Minimizing waste generation at the source is also a key focus.

8 Resource Optimize the use of natural resources, such as water and energy, through conservation measures and e3icient processes. This
EWiciency helps in reducing the overall environmental footprint of the organization.

9 Sustainable Adopt sustainable procurement practices by sourcing materials and services that have a lower environmental impact. This
Procurement could include choosing suppliers with strong environmental credentials and opting for eco-friendly products.

10 Stakeholder Engage with stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and the community, to communicate the organization’s
Engagement environmental initiatives and encourage collaborative e3orts for sustainability.

11 Reporting and Regularly report on environmental performance and progress towards objectives and targets. Transparency helps build trust
Transparency with stakeholders and demonstrates the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

12 Innovation and Invest in research and development to find innovative solutions for reducing environmental impacts. This could involve
Research developing new products or processes that are more environmentally friendly.

5 Main Stages of EMS

1. Commitment and Policy
2. Planning
3. Implementation
4. Evaluation
5. Management Review