ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ISO14001 Clause 10 — Improvement
Clause 10 brings together the fundamentals for achieving continual improvement. To determine opportunities for improvement and implement necessary actions to achieve intended outcomes.
10.1 General
The organization needs to determine opportunities for improvement arising from:
The organization needs to implement the necessary actions to achieve the opportunities for improvement to achieve the intended outcomes of its EMS.
How: Opportunities for improvement will arise naturally from 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 as well as other areas of the EMS. From certain opportunities, the organization can implement the actions to achieve these opportunities. These actions can be tracked in the overall action tracker or separately. Opportunities for improvement can also be integrated into environmental objectives.
10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action
A non-conformity can occur in an organization at any time whilst undertaking its processes and can be highlighted during monitoring, measurement, analysis, evaluation of compliance, as well as through audit programmes.
Clause 10.2 outlines the requirements that need to be met when a nonconformity arises, this includes:
- React to the nonconformity and, as applicable:
- Take action to control and correct it
- Deal with the consequences, including mitigating adverse environmental impacts;
2. Evaluate the need for action to eliminate the causes of the nonconformity, in order that it does not recur or occur elsewhere, by:
- Reviewing the nonconformity
- Determining the causes of the nonconformity
- Determining if similar nonconformities exist, or could potentially occur
3. Implement action(s) needed
4. Review the effectiveness of corrective actions
5. Make changes to the EMS, if necessary
The organization is required to retain documented information as evidence of the nature of the nonconformity and actions are taken, as well as the results of the corrective action.
HOW: The organization does not need to have a formal process or procedure in place specifically for nonconformities. If the organization does have processes or procedures covering monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation and audits (or parts thereof), non-conformities arising from here can form part of those processes or procedures.
10.3 Continual Improvement
The standard requires that the organization shall continually improve the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the EMS to enhance environmental performance. In practice, if all the clauses above are established and implemented, then continual improvement will occur.
How: Continual improvement and opportunities for improvement will arise naturally once all the clauses within the standard are implemented. Opportunities for improvement and the documentation thereof can occur within 9.3 Management review.
Originally published at https://www.bloberg.com on February 18, 2020.
