Environmental management system software designed to support your sustainability goals

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is similar to a safety or quality management system, but it manages the aspects of the organisation’s business which affect the environment.  Like a quality or safety system, it relies on document control, auditing, review, inspection, planning, training and the other basics of a management system.

For organisations operating with an Environmental Management System, some key aspects need to be adopted regarding awareness training for personnel.

There are three primary processes within an Environmental Management System:

1. Core processes – identifying significant environmental aspects and the environmental impacts of your company
2. Supporting processes – like awareness of legal requirements, and infrastructure, communicating EMS information for employee competency, and monitoring and evaluating environmental performance
3. Management system supporting processes – including document control, record keeping and internal auditing.

The key elements of an EMS include:

• Analysing the environmental impact of your company
• Reviewing your company’s environmental goals
• Assessing compliance and/or legal obligations
• Setting environmental objectives and targets
• Establishing practices and protocols to achieve those targets
• Ensuring employees are aware of environmental goals and compliance
• Reviewing, evaluating and improving the EMS.

The benefits are large and varied depending on the type of company;

• Assuring customers of commitment to demonstrable environmental management 
• Maintaining good public/community relations 
• Satisfying investor criteria and improving access to capital 
• Maintaining environmental management continuity during employee turnover 
• Obtaining insurance at a reasonable cost 
• Enhancing image, market share, and market position 
• Meeting vendor certification criteria 
• Increasing profits by improving cost control and reducing the cost of goods sold 
• Reducing incidents that result in liability 
• Demonstrating reasonable care 
• Conserving input materials and energy 
• Facilitating the attainment of permits and authorisations 
• Improving industry-government relations