1 Scope
This standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria.
This standard is applicable to any organization that wishes to
a) establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system;
b) assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy;
c) demonstrate conformity with this standard by:
1) making a self-determination and self-declaration, or;
2) seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers, or;
3) seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or;
4) seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.
All the requirements in this standard are intended to be incorporated into any environmental management system. The extent of the application depends on factors such as the environmental policy of the organization, the nature of its activities, products and services and the location where and the conditions in which it functions. This Standard also provides, in Annex A, informative guidance on its use.
2 Normative References
No normative references are cited. This clause is included in order to retain clause numbering identical with the previous edition (GB/T 24001-1996).
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
Auditor
Person with the competence to conduct an audit.
[GB/T 19000-2000, 3.9.9]
3.2
Continual improvement
Recurring process of enhancing the environmental management system (3.8) in order to achieve improvements in overall environmental performance (3.10) consistent with the organization's (3.16) environmental policy (3.11).
Note: The process need not take place in all areas of activity simultaneously.
3.3
Corrective action
Action to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity (3.15).
3.4
Document
Information and its supporting medium.
Note 1: The medium can be paper, magnetic, electronic or optical computer disc, photograph or master sample, or a combination thereof.
Note 2: Adapted from GB/T 19000:2000, 3.7.2.
3.5
Environment
Surroundings in which an organization (3.16) operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans, and their interrelation.
Note: Surroundings in this context extend from within an organization (3.16) to the global system.
3.6
Environmental aspect
Element of an organization's (3.16) activities or products or services that can interact with the environment (3.5).
Note: A significant environmental aspect has or can have a significant environmental impact (3.7).
3.7
Environmental impact
Any change to the environment (3.5), whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organization's (3.16) environmental aspects (3.6).
3.8
Environmental management system (EMS)
Part of an organization's (3.16) management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy (3.11) and manage its environmental aspects (3.6).
Note 1: A management system is a set of interrelated elements used to establish policy and objectives and to achieve those objectives.
Note 2: A management system includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures (3.19), processes and resources.
3.9
Environmental objective
Overall environmental goal, consistent with the environmental policy (3.11), that an organization (3.16) sets itself to achieve.
3.10
Environmental performance
Measurable results of an organization's (3.16) management of its environmental aspects (3.6).
Note: In the context of environmental management systems (3.8), results can be measured against the organization's (3.16) environmental policy (3.11), environmental objectives (3.9), environmental targets (3.12) and other environmental performance requirements.
3.11
Environmental policy
