Environmental management system (EMS) refers to the management of an organization's

environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It

includes the organizational structure, planning and resources for developing, implementing and
maintaining policy for environmental protection.

More formally, EMS is "a system and database which integrates procedures and processes for
training of personnel, monitoring, summarizing, and reporting of specialized environmental
performance information to internal and external stakeholders of a firm."[1]

The most widely used standard on which an EMS is based is International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) 14001.[2] Alternatives include the EMAS.

An environmental management information system (EMIS) is an information technology

solution for tracking environmental data for a company as part of their overall environmental
management system.[3]

Goals[edit]
The goals of EMS are to increase compliance and reduce waste:[4]

 Compliance is the act of reaching and maintaining minimal legal standards. By not being
compliant, companies may face fines, government intervention or may not be able to
operate.
 Waste reduction goes beyond compliance to reduce environmental impact. The EMS
helps to develop, implement, manage, coordinate and monitor environmental policies.
Waste reduction begins at the design phase through pollution prevention and waste
minimization. At the end of the life cycle, waste is reduced by recycling.[1]

To meet these goals, the selection of environmental management systems is typically subject to a
certain set of criteria: a proven capability to handle high frequency data, high performance
indicators, transparent handling and processing of data, powerful calculation engine, customised
factor handling, multiple integration capabilities, automation of workflows and QA processes
and in-depth, flexible reporting.[5]

Features[edit]
An environmental management system (EMS):[2]

 Serves as a tool, or process, to improve environmental performance and information

mainly "design, pollution control and waste minimization, training, reporting to top
management, and the setting of goals"
 Provides a systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs
 Is the aspect of the organization’s overall management structure that addresses immediate
and long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment. EMS
assists with planning, controlling and monitoring policies in an organization.[6]
  Gives order and consistency for organizations to address environmental concerns through
the allocation of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of
practices, procedures and processes
 Creates environmental buy-in from management and employees and assigns
accountability and responsibility.
 Sets framework for training to achieve objectives and desired performance.
 Helps understand legislative requirements to better determine a product or service's
impact, significance, priorities and objectives.
 Focuses on continual improvement of the system and a way to implement policies and
objectives to meet a desired result. This also helps with reviewing and auditing the EMS
to find future opportunities.
 Encourages contractors and suppliers to establish their own EMS.
 Facilitates e-reporting to federal, state and provincial government environmental agencies
through direct upload[7].

EMS Model[edit]

The PDCA cycle[8]

An EMS follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act, or PDCA, Cycle. The diagram shows the process of first
developing an environmental policy, planning the EMS, and then implementing it. The process
also includes checking the system and acting on it. The model is continuous because an EMS is a
process of continual improvement in which an organization is constantly reviewing and revising
the system.[9]

This is a model that can be used by a wide range of organizations — from manufacturing
facilities to service industries to government agencies.

Other meanings[edit]
An EMS can also be classified as

 a system which monitors, tracks and reports emissions information, particularly with
respect to the oil and gas industry. EMSs are becoming web-based in response to the
 EPA's mandated greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule, which allows for reporting GHG
emissions information via the internet.[10]
 a centrally controlled and often automated network of devices (now frequently wireless
using z-wave and zigbee technologies) used to control the internal environment of a
building. Such a system namely acts as an interface between end user and energy
(gas/electricity) consumption.[11]

Examples of environmental management systems[edit]

 Emisoft's environmental management, reporting and compliance platform
 Medgate environmental management software
 EsDat environmental data management system
 Enviance regulatory compliance system
 ERA Environmental's environmental management system

What is an environmental management system?

An ISO 14001 environmental management system (or commonly referred to as an EMS)
is a structured system designed to help organisations manage their environmental
impacts and improve environmental performance caused by their products, services and
activities. An environmental management system provides structure to environmental
management and covers areas such as training, record management, inspections,
objectives and policies.

Implementation of an environmental management system requires the following steps to be

completed by an organisation:

Development of an environmental policy that reflects its commitments;

Appointment of a person(s) responsible for its coordination;

Identification of how the organisation interacts with the environment;

Identification of actual and potential environmental impacts;

 Identification of relevant legal and other requirements;

Establishment of environmental objectives, targets and programs;

Monitoring and measurement of the progress to achieve its objectives;

Reviewing the system and environmental performance; and

Continuous improvement of the organisation's environmental performance.

By design the system and environmental performance run in a continuous improvement cycle
outlined in the diagram below.
Currently in Australia there are over 2,000 organisations certified to the ISO 14001
environmental management system standard. Up to the end of December 2008 there were over
188,000 organisations globally certified. A total of 155 countries had organisations participating
in the scheme. The diagram below illustrates the ISO 2008 survey results for the standard. It
should be noted there are many more organisations with environmental management systems not
certified to the ISO 14001 standard.
 What is ISO 14000 and ISO 14004?

ISO 14000 refers to the environmental management standards series.

ISO 14001 environmental management system standard should be used in conjunction with ISO
14004 Environmental managements systems – General guidelines on principles, systems
and support techniques . ISO 14004 provides guidelines for the elements of an environmental
management system and its implementation.
 What is the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme?

The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is an organisational management tool for the
evaluation, reporting and continuous improvement of environmental performance. The scheme
has been successfully integrated into many business types in the EU where it is defined in
legislation and the uptake is on a voluntary level.

EMAS is an environmental management scheme, whereby EU organisations develop an

environmental management system (to ISO 14001 environmental management system standard
or in line with the environmental management system specified in EMAS) and have their system
externally verified. Organisations are then able to become registered.

The scheme is yet to be recognised throughout Australia, however, tools for developing
simplified environmental management systems are available at the Eco-mapping website.
Additionally, there is some interest in Eco-mapping by some Environmental Protection
Authorities and some organisations wanting to improve their environmental performance without
all of the commitment and resources typically allocated to more traditional ISO 14001
environmental management systems.

In-house or outsourced development?

Organisations need to know whether they have the skills and resources to develop an effective
and productive system internally or whether they should outsource its development.

If the answer is to outsource its development the experience and qualifications of the
Environmental Consultant should be assessed. Engaging a consultant that specialises in
environmental risk management and environmental management system development as well as
having adequate qualifications and experience could be considered.
 Environmental management systems and legal compliance?

Identifying environmental aspects and impacts and then reviewing environmental compliance
requirements should be completed when developing an environmental management system.
Material, such as inspection checklists and procedures, to assess and manage legal compliance
should be developed. An effective and correctly developed environmental management system
should therefore assist organisations with meeting their environmental legal requirements.