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Environmental Management System

In Accordance with ISO 14001

In a Nutshell

In view of the growing importance of environmental protection and sustainability, environmental management in companies is becoming increasingly relevant. An environmental management system (EMS) helps companies to take ecological responsibility, meet legal requirements and achieve environmental goals. The environmental management system according to ISO 14001 provides a globally recognized foundation for these efforts. Suitable software offers valuable support for environmental management.

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Environmental Management and ISO 14001

What Is an Environmental Management System?

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An environmental management system (EMS) helps companies to meet their environmental obligations, achieve environmental goals and improve their overall environmental performance.

The best-known standard for environmental management systems is ISO 14001. Like other international management system standards, it follows a standardized structure, known as the Harmonized Structure. For companies that want to implement an environmental management system, this makes it easier to integrate it into the existing management system.

In the European Union, there is also the EMAS regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), which, in addition to all the requirements of ISO 14001, requires in particular the annual publication of an environmental statement.

Environmental Aspects Covered by ISO 14001

ISO 14001 itself does not define any environmental objectives. However, it does support the process of defining a company's own objectives and measures, implementing these measures, checking their effectiveness and adapting the objectives and measures if necessary. This corresponds to the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act), which is reflected in the Harmonized Structure and is intended to enable continuous improvement. The company itself defines the environmental aspects that are tracked by objectives and corresponding measures. Typically, companies consider issues such as energy consumption, emissions or resource conservation. Environmental aspects that arise from collaboration with other companies in the supply chain should also be considered.

ISO 14001 Is Particularly Helpful when Considering the Following:
  • Identification and evaluation of environmental aspects
  • Compliance with legal and other requirements
  • Definition of environmental objectives and measures
  • Risk management in relation to environmental issues
  • Training and responsibility of employees
  • Communication and documentation
  • Emergency preparedness and management

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Certification

Environmental Management Certification

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Companies that implement an environmental management system can seek certification according to ISO 14001. Such certification for environmental management documents that the company operates an environmental management system that meets all the ISO 14001 requirements.

In principle, ISO 14001 is not limited to environmental management in companies: Organizations of all types and sizes can introduce an environmental management system and obtain certification for their environmental management. In some cases, this is even required by law.

Another aspect is important for environmental management in companies: because customers often explicitly demand certification for environmental management according to ISO 14001 from their suppliers, certified companies obtain a clear competitive advantage.

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Software Solutions

Advantages of a Software Solution for Your Environmental Management System

The environmental management system entails a variety of tasks for companies: risks and opportunities must be analyzed and requirements identified. Appropriate measures must be tracked, as must the qualifications and training of employees. In addition, interfaces to other subject areas often arise.
 

For this reason, it makes sense to consider the environmental management system as part of an Integrated Management System that also takes into account other disciplines such as quality or energy management. The use of software for environmental management or for the Integrated Management System as a whole can be beneficial for a number of reasons.

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  • Centralization: Combine environmental management with information and processes from other areas in one software solution.
  • Compliance: The software provides reliable support for compliance with standards such as ISO 14001, ISO 50001 (energy management) or ISO 9001 (quality management).
  • Synergies: By using resources wisely, you reduce costs and save time.
  • Silo dissolution: With software for environmental management, quality management and all other requirements, you promote cross-departmental collaboration.
  • Risk management: Evaluate and minimize business risks in the software, even beyond environmental management.
  • Transparency: The software enables standardized reporting and better tracking of measures.
  • Process optimization: Workflows, reports and documentation are automated and simplified.

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IMS Software from Babtec

How Babtec IMS Software Supports You

Our IMS solution is a powerful software for your environmental management and for effectively setting up and expanding an Integrated Management System. By considering environmental management in the software together with other topics, you can use synergies and efficiently meet all requirements. In addition, the software makes data available across modules for your environmental management, strengthening collaboration.

Software Modules for Your Environmental Management

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Process Management

Describe and visualize all your processes with ease 
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Requirements Management

All your environmental management requirements in one software
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Risk Management

Analyze and evaluate all risks and opportunities and decide on measures
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Document Control

Targeted control of documented information throughout the company
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Checklists

Design and provide environmental management checklists within the software
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Qualification and Training Management

Keep track of qualifications in environmental topics and organize trainings
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