L'ITC et l'ISO lancent un manuel sur les systèmes de gestion de l'environnement (en)
The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have released a new handbook and CD to make it easier for organizations to understand and implement an environmental management system (EMS) and enhance their access to export markets.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems – An easy-to-use checklist for small business – Are you ready? guides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the requirements for the ISO standard for environmental management – ISO14001:2004.
Understanding and implementing the standard for environmental management can lead to greater export potential by satisfying consumer demand for suppliers to demonstrate compliance and good practice in environmental matters.
ITC Executive Director Patricia Francis says,‘The benefits of positively addressing environmental issues covers the preservation of the environment, but are also linked to business performance and profitability, while improving corporate image and enhancing access to export markets.’
The handbook guides users through a 15 part checklist to determine their current environmental performance and identify the main areas for improvement. Each of the first 15 parts covers a particular stage in the EMS implementation process and provides a brief explanation of the relevant requirements and how to incorporate them into an EMS. A list of sources of potentially useful guidance and information is also provided.
Many companies have improved their operations and reduced the impact of their activities, processes, products and services on the environment by using the standard for environmental management a systematic approach that seeks continual improvement. By the end of 2009, more than some 223,000 organizations across 159 countries had been certified against ISO 14001.
One major advantage of implementing ISO 14001 is that it can be done in an organization of any size or type, since the requirements of an EMS are the same for all. ITC’s experience shows that SMEs can implement an effective EMS and realize a variety of benefits. This handbook will be of value even if the ultimate aim is not third-party certification of the organization.
The handbook and CD are available from the ITC e-shop (www.intracen.org/eshop) in English, French and Spanish. ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations and is devoted to enabling SMEs in developing countries become more competitive in global markets and thus to speed up sustainable economic development and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.