The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. It was founded on 23^rd February 1947 and the organization develops and publishes worldwide technical, industrial and commercial standards. It headquarter is situated in Geneva, Switzerland. Presently, Eddy Njoroje is the President of this organization. The three official languages of the ISO are English, French, and Russian.

WHAT IS ISO 14000 ?

Ø  ISO 14000 is a series of environmental management standards developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for organizations.

Ø  The ISO 14000 standards provide a guideline or framework for organizations that need to systematize and improve their environmental management efforts.

Ø  It serves as a tool to improve environmental performance.

Ø  It provides a systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs.

OBJECTIVES

Ø  Reduce waste generation by recycling

Ø  Reduce energy consumption by use of alternative lighting

Ø  reduce energy consumption by reduction of compressed air leaks

Ø  Improve chemical management system software

Ø  Improve management of Industrial Waste water

Ø  Improve hazard waste management through solvent recovery

ISO 14000 AND PDCA CYCLE

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is the operating principle of all ISO management system standards, including ISO 14001.

The fundamental principle of PDCA is iteration. Once a hypothesis is confirmed or negated, executing the cycle again will extend the knowledge further. By repeating the PDCA cycle the users can get closer to their goal of perfect operation and output. It involves the "hygienic" separation of each phase.

The PDCA model ensures environmental issues are systematically identified, controlled and monitored in accordance with an organization's environmental policy, which is periodically reviewed and updated. By following this cycle, you can effectively manage and continually improve your organization's effectiveness. The EMS uses the PDCA model and incorporates the following elements.

PLAN :

The organization set their Objectives /Targets / Goals to achieve within a stipulated time for the benefit of organization and society. e.g  The organization want to reduce toxic materials 20% reduction by this coming year

DO :

Management Structure Roles, responsibility and authorities are defined, documented and communicated via conducting Training/Awareness. Establish procedure(s) to make employees aware of the importance of environmental conformance with the requirements of the EMS and their roles in achieving it.

CHECK :

Monitor & Measure

Maintain documented procedures to monitor and measure the key characteristics of its operations and activities that can have a significant impact on the environment.

Corrective Action

Establish procedures for defining responsibility and authority for handling and investigating nonconformance.

ACT

The organization's top management shall review the EMS to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.

Evaluate

Evaluate the EMS to ensure suitability of operation Continually Improve Consider continual improvement as part of its operation

Benefits of PDCA

Once established, companies can repeat the PDCA Cycle and make it a standard operating procedure. The final stage of the methodology, "Act," takes corrective actions and makes the methodology ideal for continuous improvement efforts.