ISO 14000 Answer Book

As the global marketplace imposes increasing demands on companies to minimize the environmental impact of their products, it is becoming of utmost importance that organizations integrate a sound environmental management system (EMS) into their overall business structure. Crucial to this initiative is ISO 14000, regarded as the most far-reaching series of quality management standards released to date. In the ISO 14000 Answer Book, three experts in the field explain and clarify the numerous intricacies and unique requirements of ISO 14000 by providing quick and reliable answers to commonly asked questions. Intended to organize and restructure a company's environmental systems to foster continuous improvement, ISO 14000 offers various benefits --reduced regulatory oversight, increased management efficiencies, easing of command and control requirements --to organizations that comply with its guidelines. Though compliance and subsequent certification are not mandatory, lack of certification can mean the potential loss of market share --both here and abroad --to corporations that have embraced the new management standards. Written and structured to help you understand the implications of ISO 14000 international environmental management standards on your business, this concise and user-friendly reference addresses 250 crucial questions about ISO 14000 and ISO 14001, a specific standard in the series. With clear, concise explanations, you'll find details on: Planning your environmental management system --drawing up an implementation plan, determining your company's "environmental aspects," identifying legal requirements Implementing an EMS under ISO 14001 --early considerations, the role of top manage-ment, developing an environmental policy, evaluating your EMS EMS audits --objectives, audit policy and audit privilege, auditing and the ISO 14001 certification process Standards for evaluating environmental performance --selecting indicators, collecting the necessary data, reporting and communicating your EPE information Going through the certification process --deciding when to seek certification, selecting a registrar, certifying your company's EMS Cross-referenced and packed with "capsule answers" for quick access, the ISO 14000 Answer Book has the information and guidance you need to get up to speed fast on this all-important series of environmental management standards. "...an excellent tool for professionals to gain insight into ISO 14000." --Susan Malette, Quality Manager, Digital Equipment Corporation. "Slowly we've learned that no one can afford to treat environmental protection as a spectator sport. This book gives top corporate managers the critical information they need to make environmental protection part of their everyday operations." --Doug Costle, Former Head, US EPA. "...a valuable mechanism to understand the implications of specific aspects of ISO 14001 and make informed decisions." --J. Eldon Rucker, Deputy Director, American Petroleum Institute "This book is being used by a wide variety of organizations wishing to learn more about ISO 14000 standards and their potential use worldwide." -- Amy Schaffer, American Forest & Paper Association. "The ISO 14000 Answer Book is a must for environmental and business managers seeking to improve environmental performance and gain a competitive advantage." -- Paul T. Robbertz; Manager; Environmental, Health, Safety and Regulatory Services; Hampshire Chemical Corporation. "Business leaders who want to improve their environmental stewardship and corporate citizenship will find the ISO 14000 Answer Book a valuable reference." -- Andrew E. Lietz, President and CEO, Hadco Corporation.