#65 - What is an EMS?

 An exciting announcement about a game-changer in the world of ISO standards was made in the last episode….which was about the isology hub! Let’s have a little reminder… What is the isology hub? It's a Netflix version of unlimited ISO standards support, which includes videos, checklists, sample policies, templates, plus many other things such as eLearning courses! You’ll get access to binge-worthy content to help you raise your game and take your business to the next level. So, what is it that makes the isology hub such a game-changer you ask? Well, it's a game-changer because it provides a DIY (do it yourself) solution to implementing an ISO standard. Our inaugural ISO Roadmap is for an Environmental Management System (EMS). So, in effect, it’s a roadmap for you to implement an ISO 14001 EMS.   Over the next few episodes, I'm going to be sharing with you some of the topics that we cover in the isology hub in terms of ISO 14001. We have an ISO 14001 roadmap, and we kick off by explaining what an EMS is, and we feature step by step, specific actions that you can take to make your business more sustainable and take it to the next level!   But before I kick off with explaining what an EMS is in this episode, I’d just like to announce that we have an awesome ebook guide for your ISO project. And it's free of charge! It's called the ISO Standards Blueprint simply go to isologyhub.com to download it for free. The great thing about it is that it's a guide for any ISO standard. So that's why the ISO Standards Blueprint is a blueprint for implementing any ISO standard.   Now, let's dive into explaining what an EMS actually is…   What is an EMS? An EMS is a blueprint for how you run your business sustainably and be kinder to the planet. It provides a framework (a home) for your policies and procedures Helps you to identify and reduce its impact on the environment. A system to optimise your resources to be as efficient as possible Leads to reduced operational costs, and therefore increase in bottom-line profitability.   So…what is actually inside an EMS? Policies Procedures Documents Records   Which documents must you include? Where the standards say ‘SHALL’ you must obey…. Scope and boundaries of the EMS (4.3) Environmental Policy (5.2) Environmental Aspects and Impacts (6.1.2) Compliance obligations (6.1.3) Environmental Objectives (6.2) And… Documented information determined by your organisation as being necessary for the effectiveness of the Environmental management system.   Examples of Documented Information include: Aspects and Impacts Register  - captures your environmental footprint Roles and responsibilities – Who does what Operational procedures – How things are done Core ISO System procedures – document control, communication, Management Review, Internal audit – these all help you keep on top of the management of your business. Environmental legal register Risk Register Environmental objectives/KPI’s Environmental Policy Metrics to monitor and measure  – what do you need to monitor and measure that will help shift the needle in the direction you want to go. Meeting minutes Samples / Supplier records   In Summary…What can an EMS help with? Assign roles and responsibilities, and see exactly where there are bottlenecks, Ensure value-adding monitoring, measurement, and analysis of data, that in turn will assist the business to make better-informed business decisions, Identifies all the statutory and regulatory requirements – and helps keeps your business compliant and avoid reputational damage and fines. Understand where corrective action needs to be taken, and how this can be potentially avoided in future   Hopefully, that's given you a snapshot of what an EMS is! We go into this in a lot more detail in the isology which is where you’ll find everything you need to implement an EMS and achieve certification to ISO 14001   So, don't forget to download your FREE ISO Standards Blueprint over at isologyhub.com