ISO 14031 Used as a Tool in ISO 14001 or as an Alternative for a Simple EMS

E-ISSN： 2051-3062|1999|28|79-89

ISSN： 0966-9671

Source： Greener Management International, Vol.1999, Iss.28, 1999-12, pp. : 79-89

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Abstract

Several case studies demonstrate that ISO 14031 can be used as a management process leading to the establishment of simple environmental management systems or as a tool to fulfil the requirements of ISO 14001. The ISO 14031 route leads to highly effective systems with the focus on actions and results. Such systems typically involve one person only, which might be an advantage for small companies if they only have a few environmental aspects to manage. However, the organisation will have to recognise that the system depends on this one person. This could be a major drawback, especially if documentation is rudimentary, which is normally the case. Comparing the ISO 14031 system to the specifications given in ISO 14001 leads to the conclusion that the environmental elements of ISO 14001 are covered by the guidance in ISO 14031 whereas the organisational parts are not. This paper describes and evaluates experience with the use of ISO 14031 both as a stand-alone document and in conjunction with ISO 14001. A Malaysian company producing rubber gloves is used as a case study.