Corporate Environmental Management Systems

What are Environmental Management Systems & ISO 14001?

Environmental management systems (EMS) are business tools used to integrate environmental awareness and responsibility through-out an organization and provide a systematic means of evaluating impacts, setting environmental goals, measuring success and continuing improvement. As the most recognized global standard for environmental management systems, ISO 14001 is a useful instrument for encouraging Asian firms to adopt an EMS.

US-AEP has promoted ISO 14001 as a starting point to increase industry's awareness of environmental impacts. ISO 14001 defines an organizational structure for managing a company's environmental objectives, setting baselines for the reporting and management requirements of an EMS. Certification to ISO 14001 enables a company to demonstrate to stakeholders, customers, and other interested parties that an EMS is in use and has been verified.

What has US-AEP Done to Promote the Adoption of ISO 14001?

Provide information sharing and consulting between U.S. ISO accreditors and their Asian counterparts,
Strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of the local certifying groups through training, and
Assist Asian national accreditation bodies with the preparation and training necessary to establish ISO 14001 certification programs recognized by the International Accreditation Forum.
Co-sponsor or support ISO 14001 training, conferences, and seminars that encourage industry to implement EMS in their facilities.

Through these US-AEP programs, Asian organizations can gain information and skills that facilitate the recognition of their national ISO 14001 accreditation and certification programs by the International Accreditation Forum. US-AEP has worked with accreditation organizations in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

What are the Benefits of Implementing EMS?

Competitive Advantage: Environmental Management Systems, which are being adopted by proactive companies worldwide, are effective tools for understanding how to increase efficiencies and decrease waste and pollution.
Supplemental tool for compliance: EMS is an effective way to monitor, assess, and continually improve compliance with government regulations.
Cost Controls: Adoption of an EMS can promote efficient management of raw materials and waste products and reduce the need for future remediations.
Improved Corporate Image: Adoption of EMS helps validate a company's environmental commitment to the community, customers, employees, and investors.
Reduced Insurance Costs and Business Risk: Banks take environmental performance into account when making credit and lending decisions. Using an ISO 14001 type EMS reflects a commitment to environmental performance.

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