Worldwide organizations that declare their commitment to the environment, implement and certify their environmental management system in compliance with ISO 14001 ISO 14001:2004. This is a globally recognized standard, which specifies the principles for the implementation of the effective environmental management system. Historically, the ISO 14001 standard was established in 1996 largely based on the earlier British Standard BS 7750:1994. The global trend to create standards for environmental management system began with the concern expressed at the conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 on the state of the environment resulted in various to avoid greater environmental calamities, including the preparation of an environmental management system standard.

Standards for environmental management systems consist of:

• ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems - Requirements with guidance for use
• ISO 14004:2004 Environmental Management Systems - General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques.

What does ISO 14001:2004 cover ?
ISO 14001:2004 specifies the general mechanisms for environmental management but the same does not impose specific criteria for environmental performance which means it can be applied to any organization regardless of size or type of business.

The main  elements of ISO 14001:2004 are:

• General Requirements - A short requirement, which states that the environmental management system should be documented, implemented and continuously improved.
• Environmental policy - This clause specifies that the strategy for the environment should be defined in a document called the environmental policy and describes in detail what the document should contain.
• Planning ? A critical part of this standard, requiring the Organization to undertake an evaluation of their processes, identify aspects that affect the environment and specify those that have the most significant impact taking into account including environmental legislation and other requirements. This part is crucial because those aspects have a significant impact on the environment are subject to detailed control in the implementation and operation of the environmental management system.
• Implementation and operation - This element is described at length so that an organization implementing an environmental management system is provided with the control requirements for the efficient and effective monitoring of significant impacts on the environment. These control activities include :

1. Identification of  resources, roles, responsibilities and authorities to allow the system to function smoothly,
2. definition of competence, training and awareness required for staff,
3. the establishment of mechanisms for internal and external communication,

the creation of  documents (including procedures for document and record control) that are required to operate an environmental management system,

1. the introduction of operational control which means the  identification and planning of  those operations that are associated with significant environmental aspects. Then the establishment, implementation and maintenance of procedures describing these activities,
2. the establishment, implementation and maintenance of procedures for potential dangerous situations and accidents that can have an impact on the environment.

• Checking ? this element relies on the

1. regular monitoring and performance measurement of key characteristics of operations that can have a significant impact on the environment,
2. periodic evaluation of compliance with legal requirements, as well as the establishment of a procedure for identification and correction of  deficiencies, undertaking subsequent corrective action and preventive measures,
3. conducting internal audits of EMS.

• Overview of management - There is a summary of the results of EMS in order to determine future strategies and continuous improvement of the EMS.

Benefits associated with the implementation of an environmental management system and certification according to ISO 14001 include:

• raising the employee's awareness about their environmental impact,
• a better management of risk factors relating to the environment,
• improving the functioning of the company through thorough control of environmental impacts, resulting in improved performance such as reduced waste, energy consumption, etc.
• showing shareholders that the company cares about the local environment,

• the use of the ISO 14001 certificate as evidence that can be  presented to  public authorities of  compliance with the provisions of applicable environmental law,
• potentially reducing the cost of insurance liabilities,
• enabling the Organization to participate in a greater numbers of tenders,
• strengthening the company's reputation.

BPIC CONDUCTS  TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION ACCORDNG TO ISO 14001 : 2004.

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