ISO 14001 Registration Process and Common Nonconformances NSF

ISO 14001 Registration Process and Common Nonconformances NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Becoming ISO 14001 registered The registration body examines EMS for conformity to the ISO 14001 standard. The EMS audit is not a compliance audit. Registration means the organization has a documented EMS that is fully implemented and meets ISO 14001 requirements. Registration does NOT mean that products are more environmentally friendly. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Basic Six Step Process Application Desk Audit On-site Readiness Review Registration Audit Registration Determination Surveillance 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Step 1: Application Determination of scope Determination of number audit days required Assignment of lead auditor Determination of additional services desired Baseline Assessment Implementation Guides Standards and Publications Strategic Management Review Integrated Audits Training 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Step 2: Desk Audit Client submits a copy of EMS manual and policies. Lead Auditor conducts complete review of EMS documentation. Lead Auditor identifies issues which could become nonconformances during registration audit. Desk audit includes verification of coverage of elements required by the standard. Desk audit and Onsite Readiness Review are used to determine preparedness to continue with registration. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Step 3: On-site Readiness Review Audit team meets staff and tours facilities. Team and staff review desk audit report. Audit team evaluates aspect identification and evaluation process. Team conducts detailed review of procedures and work instructions. Audit team reviews any identified issues and corrective actions. Team conducts evaluation of EMS audit and management review functions. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Step 4: On-site Registration Audit Evaluation of implementation conformance and operational effectiveness of EMS – Does the EMS support the environmental policy? Extensive interviews and examination of documents to evaluate: – Planning – Implementation and Operation – Checking and Corrective action 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Step 5: Registration Determination Recommendation given in closing meeting: – Recommend registration – Recommend registration after corrective actions – Recommend onsite re-audit NSF-ISR management makes decision on registration. Per accreditation body requirements, the audit team does not make final decision. Certificate is issued immediately and organization is added to public register. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

Step 6: Surveillance All ISO 14001 elements audited over 3 years, using one of the following options: Annual surveillance cycle with third year re-audit required Semi-annual surveillance cycle with no third year re-audit required 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Environmental Policy – requires a publicly available, written statement, which includes a commitment to prevention of pollution a commitment to continual improvement a commitment to compliance with environmental laws and other applicable environmental requirements; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.2 Environmental Policy Common nonconformances: Failure to make required commitments explicit in policy statement; Failure to include commitment to comply with other requirements to which the organization subscribes; Inadequate communication of policy to members of the organization. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Environmental Aspects – requires procedures for identification of environmental aspects of the organization's activities and determination of those which have or can have significant impacts on the environment; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - Definitions Environmental aspect – element of an organization’s activities, products or services that can interact with the environment Environmental impact – any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organization’s activities, products or services 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.3.1 Environmental Aspects Common nonconformances: Failure to develop a functional process for: – identifying environmental aspects; – determining which can be controlled; – determining which have or can have significant impacts on the environment. – keeping aspects current This constitutes a major nonconformance. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Legal and Other Requirements – requires the organization to know exactly what environmental laws and other (i.e. nonregulatory) requirements apply to its activities; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.3.2 Legal and Other Requirements Common nonconformances: Incomplete awareness of requirements Failure of the organization’s procedures to maintain currency of reference documents 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Objectives and Targets – requires the organization to set measurable environmental objectives and targets consistent with its environmental policy statement; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - Definitions Environmental objective – overall environmental goal, arising from the environmental policy, that an organization sets itself to achieve, and which is quantified where practicable Environmental target – detailed performance requirement, quantified where practicable. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.3.3 Objectives and Targets Common nonconformances: Inability to show consideration for: – legal and other requirements; – technological options; – financial, operational and business requirements; and views of interested parties. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Environmental Management Programs – requires the organization to develop and maintain programs to achieve its environmental objectives and targets; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.3.4 Environmental Management Program Common nonconformances: Detail on means and time frames for achievement of objectives and targets not specified Programs not being updated as facility operations change 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Structure and Responsibility – requires environmental management responsibilities to be clearly defined, documented, and communicated; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.1 Structure and Responsibility Common nonconformances: Personnel responsible for components of EMS not specified in documentation; Structure and responsibility documentation not kept up to date with personnel changes. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Training, Awareness, and Competence – requires processes to ensure that all personnel whose work can cause significant impacts on the environment are competent, through training, education and experience; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.2 Training, Awareness and Competence Common nonconformances: Inadequate identification of training needs; Failure to make personnel aware of significant environmental impacts of their work activities and the potential consequences of departure from procedures; Failure to complete training where a need has been identified. Training of temps and new personnel 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Communication – requires procedures for internal and external communication on EMS and environmental aspects; – This section includes a requirement for organizations to consider processes for external communication on their EMS and environmental aspects, and record their decisions. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.3 Communication Common nonconformances: Failure to document responses to external communications Failure to document decision regarding external communication on EMS and environmental aspects 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements EMS Documentation – requires documentation of core EMS elements; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.4 Environmental Management System Documentation Common nonconformances: Broken links between EMS documentation elements (e.g. references to related documents not provided or inaccurate). 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Document Control – requires stringent control of all documentation relating to the EMS; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.5 Document Control Common nonconformances: Inadequate identification of EMS documents (“all documents required by this International Standard”); Review and retention periods not specified; Reviews and revisions not kept up to date; Distribution of current versions and retrieval of obsolete versions not maintained in accordance with procedures; Document control procedures not adequately applied to documents predating implementation of EMS. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Operational Control – requires identification of all activities with potential or actual significant environmental impact and procedural control to achieve conformance with the environmental policy. – Includes control of goods and services used, e.g. contractors and suppliers. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.6 Operational Control Common nonconformances: Operations and activities associated with significant environmental aspects not fully identified; Maintenance processes omitted; Operational control procedures not fully established (e.g. not documented where required, not followed consistently, etc.); Suppliers and contractors left out of operational control and/or aspect evaluation process, or not adequately covered; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Emergency Preparedness and Response – requires identification of potential for accidents and emergency situations, and procedures for response and mitigation of resulting environmental impacts; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.4.7 Emergency Preparedness and Response Common nonconformances: Procedure not established for identifying potential for accidents and emergency situations; Procedures not reviewed following accidents; Emergency preparedness and response procedures not periodically tested. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Monitoring and Measurement – requires procedures to measure key environmental aspects for progress toward meeting objectives and targets – requires procedures for evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.5.1 Monitoring and Measurement Common nonconformances: Key characteristics of significant environmental impactrelated activities not identified, leading to problems with developing measurement and monitoring procedures; Periodicity not set for monitoring and measurement procedures; Processes for tracking environmental performance versus targets and control requirements not adequately defined in monitoring and measurement procedures; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.5.1 Monitoring and Measurement Common nonconformances: Monitoring equipment not calibrated and/or records not kept in accordance with ISO 14001; Procedure for periodically evaluating compliance with relevant environmental legislation and regulations not documented in accordance with ISO 14001 section 4.4.5 (e.g. using an existing permit); Procedure for evaluating compliance does not adequately cover evaluation of compliance. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Nonconformance and Corrective and Preventive Action – requires procedures for taking preventive and corrective action on any EMS nonconformances and supports continual improvement of the system; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.5.2 Nonconformance and Corrective and Preventive Action Common nonconformances: Nonconformances and corrective action follow-up are not tracked and handled in accordance with the organization’s procedures; Nonconformances and corrective action follow-up are not handled in the time frames specified by the organization; Certain types of nonconformance (e.g. registration & surveillance audit) are not taken into account during procedure development. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Records – requires procedures for handling and disposition of environmental records; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.5.3 Records Common nonconformances: Environmental records not adequately identified by the organization, leading to other nonconformances; Retention times for environmental records not established and/or recorded; Records maintenance procedures not followed. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements EMS Audit – requires the organization to periodically audit itself for conformance with the requirements of its EMS; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.5.4 EMS Audit Common nonconformances: EMS audit procedures don’t meet ISO 14001 content requirements (e.g. frequency, methodologies, and responsibilities and requirements for conducting audits and reporting results); EMS audits not conducted in accordance with the organization’s procedure(s) - Major nonconformance; 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

ISO 14001 - 17 Key Elements Management Review – requires top management to periodically review the EMS for effectiveness in achieving the intent of the environmental policy and identify the need for changes to the system. 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

4.6 Management Review Common nonconformances: Management review not conducted - Major nonconformance; Periodicity for management review not set or met; Management review documentation does not reflect consideration of those items specified in section 4.6 (e.g. suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of EMS, possible need for changes to policy, objectives and other elements of the EMS, audit results, etc.). 888-248-0433 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.

For More Information Rick Gehrke 888-248-0433 [email protected] 2001 NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd.