ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

Global warming, ozone depletion, pollution and extinction of numerous species of animals. These are just a few of the environmental issues that the world faces, in the name of development. As responsible corporate citizens, companies can play their part in preserving our natural environment for our next generation by implementing ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System.

So, what is ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System? What is the requirement of the ISO 14001 standards? What is the content of Environmental Management System? What are the steps in implementing ISO 14001:204 Standards – Environmental Management System? You will find the answers in this “ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System” DVD.

The “ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System” DVD will elaborate in details on:

1. Introduction to ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System.
2. The history & origin of the standards.
3. Requirement of ISO 14001:2004 Standards.
4. Contents Of ISO 14001:2004 Standards.
5. ISO 14001:2004 Implementation Steps & Checklist.

No matter how simple or complex the business, each can benefit from the implementation of a management system based on ISO 14001:2004. This international standard has as its focus the prevention of pollution, accomplished by a teamwork approach to identifying those aspects of the organizations processes that have the potential for harming the environment and the development of ways to reduce or prevent this harm.

In the process, many organizations have found ways to reduce costs by elimination of scrap, changes to their waste disposal processes or reduced use of natural resources. It is the application of the system approach that has proven to be successful. And, once the system is in place, it is logical and beneficial to have that system certified and registered. This provides added assurance that the management system remains effective and also provides public recognition to numerous stakeholders that your organization is committed to the prevention of pollution.

Do You Need ISO 14001 Certification?

It’s always a good time to line up for a session with an ISO 14001 consultant. For most companies, this is really a good way of looking better. In reality though, certification can do so much more than polish company image. It is also the best way to make sure that a company has such strong values that its systems are structured in such a way as to limit negative environmental impact.

For a lot of businesses, general objectives revolve mainly around making more profits. These days though, it is hardly feasible or wise to maintain only this single-minded drive. Nearly every business, regardless of type or size can have an impact on the environment. Whatever you do can either worsen environmental degradation or help in preservation. It is now therefore, every business owner’s responsibility to strike a balance between making profits and promoting environmental responsibility. This is where becoming ISO 14001 certified becomes important.

To be exact, certification is a form of acknowledgement. Certified companies are recognized as holders and users of comprehensive environment management systems. What the 14001 standards really seek to provide are generic standards. This can’t be helped. Specific points are difficult to come up with since businesses aren’t all the same. This isn’t exactly a negative aspect though. After all, there are many general terms and standards that are applicable and even necessary to companies that belong to different sectors.

Certification is beneficial in a number of ways. First of all, a company that passes ISO 14001 certification comes out as automatically compliant with legal requirements. What partly keeps you in business other than customer satisfaction is compliance with government standards.

Legal compliance or going beyond this is advantageous in other ways. It is for example a good business image boost. With certification under your belt, you are able to build a great reputation for yourself, your company and your brand. This can then lead to attracting more customers and getting more sales conversions.

Naturally though, the top benefit of all is achieving control over how your processes affect the environment. By helping preserve the environment, you get the extra perks of power and cost conservation, thereby reducing your operational expenses.

An ISO 14001 certified system is important because it is what gives structure to your processes. With a solid structure on your side, you can be certain that your bid to make more profits and your commitment to preserving the environment are both on the same playing field.

Companies can perform self audits to prepare for the process of certification. Some business owners however immediately hire consultants to help with the preparations. Consultants do charge high fees but great service providers can actually help you save more in the long run. Specialists typically assess the system already in place, recommend changes for improvement and provide suggestions for staff training and documentation. It’s generally a good idea to tap expert help if you are a bit lost on where to begin. If you aren’t even yet compliant with mandatory requirements, getting help is a must.

Read more on ISO 9001 Standards at http://www.iso9001store.com

What Are The Differences Of ISO 9001 And ISO 14001?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a managing body that was founded to provide quality and environmental management systems to industries across the world. The ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 standards are accreditations that are issued to organizations that meet or exceed the criteria set by the ISO. The certifications, which differ in criteria, have been proven to increase profitability and commercial status for the holding parties.

Some of the core differences between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 stem from the criteria covered by each standard. As a quality management certification, ISO 9001 is awarded based on set standards being met in key areas. These areas include quality management systems, management responsibility, resource management, and how quality performance is measured, analyzed, and improved.

The standard ISO 14001 is an environmental management certification that is designed to assist organizations as they develop in-house environmental management systems. This standard is based on a model of continual improvement, which differentiates it from the fixed criteria that must be met to be awarded ISO 9001 accreditation. For an organization to achieve the certification, it must develop an ISO 14001-compliant environmental management system through a process of planning objectives, implementing processes, measuring and monitoring the processes, and improving the system based on the results of the monitoring stage.

As a part of ISO 14001 accreditation, a continual improvement process (CIP) is required. This CIP is based on expanding the environmental management system across all sectors of the business, using the system to enrich other processes and improving over time by continual monitoring. Many organizations seek to be awarded both ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certification as it demonstrates a high overall standard of quality and environmental management structures.

The scope of each standard is what defines the differences between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. The routes to accreditation and methods of maintaining the systems once certification has been achieved are similar across both standards. Both ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 standards can be applied for once a compliant management system has been implemented following the ISOguidelines. An intensive external audit will be required for either standard with an additional internal audit required for ISO 9001.

Both ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 are measures of the processes used by an organization, not the end product. This means that a company that holds ISO 9001 accreditation can still produce a poor end product providing the correct paperwork is in place and the quality is consistent. Similarly, ISO 14001 certification simply means that there is a system in place to meet that organization’s specific environmental targets.

Read more on ISO 14001 Standards at http://www.iso14000store.com

ISO 9001 Audit Checklist

Whether an organization is implementing ISO 9001:2008 or just improving their quality management system, they will undoubtedly need to review and analyse their current systems and processes in order to identify gaps in compliance. Gap analysis requires that organizations review their existing processes, procedures and documentation, etc. The framework for this review technique is often provided in the format of an ISO 9001 audit checklist which many organizations and auditors consider to be an indispensable tool that actively supports the audit process.

The Advantages of the ISO 9001 Audit Checklist

Regular internal audits are carried out to ensure compliance is maintained and the ISO 9001 audit checklist comes in handy for this purpose. This is just one of many tools that are available from the auditors’ toolbox that help ensure the audit addresses the necessary requirements. It stands as a reference point before, during and after the audit process and if developed for a specific audit and used correctly will provide the following benefits:

- Ensures the audit is conducted systematically
- Promotes audit planning
- Ensures a consistent audit approach
- Actively supports the organization’s audit process
- Serves as an aide memoire
- Provides a repository for notes collected during the audit process
- Ensures uniformity in the performance of different auditors
- Provides objective evidence

Structuring the Audit Checklist

One of the simplest methods of structuring the ISO 9001 audit checklist is by taking the applicable requirements from an organization’s policies, procedures and of course, from the standard itself, and turning each requirement into a question. Be sure to include the ‘organization shall’ requirements as well.

Add a section for comments, add check boxes for compliant or non-compliant and you can even add a column to note objective evidence and to provide an audit trial. Each element of the audit process should have customized checklists to serve as documentation outputs from the audit process itself.

This type of approach is primarily utilised by external auditors, including registration and certification body auditors, but the technique can equally be applied by any organization actively seeking to enhance their audit process.

Adding Value to the Checklist

Organizations should assess the potential value that the ISO 9001 audit checklist can bring in helping their audit process to develop. It’s worth remembering that a good checklist is no substitute for an enquiring mind and a good questioning technique.

If an internal auditor uses the checklist to ask narrowly focused questions then little benefit will be derived from the audit. If, on the other hand, the auditors conduct detailed preparation of the requirements of the process they intend to cover during the audit; the checklist then becomes an invaluable output for recording and communicating that preparation work.

Using the ISO 9001 audit checklist should not restrict the scope of audit activities, since that scope may change as a result of information actually collected during the audit. The key to unlocking the checklist’s value is the willingness of the organization to use it as a guide rather than being a slave to it.

Read more on ISO 9001 Standards at http://www.iso9001store.com

How To Acquire ISO 9000 Standards

Companies dream of achieving success and recognition in their respective fields. That is why a lot of companies aim for certification of their management systems. Certification often gives companies an edge in their field, and the needed push for consumers to select their product or service. While this article covers the basics of getting ISO 9000 certification, you can learn much more about how to get this certification and how it benefits your business by taking relevantcourses in business management. If you don’t have time to attend a traditional school, consider online universities - they’re convenient and cost-effective!

ISO 9000 is a certification body that assesses a company’s quality management system against set standards. If a certain company passes their criteria, ISO grantsthem a certification that they have passed internationally recognized ISO standards. ISO 9000 is divided into 3 levels: ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 9003.

How do you go about acquiring this type of certification? Here are some steps to guide you in organizing an ISO 9000 certification.

Study the quality of your management systems. Preparation for an ISO certification with an evaluation of your own company’s management systems, procedures and standards. It is important to tap people from within the company to first make a realistic evaluation of the quality of management, procedures, and service that your business is offering.

Compare these with the ISO standards. Once you have completed your own evaluation, the next step is comparing it to the standards set by ISO 9000, according to the level you may want to apply for. It is crucial that your company takes important notice of the different things that need to be addressed in their system, may it be management procedures, regulations, or company practices.

Make the necessary adjustments. Upon recognizing the needed adjustments, then take the necessary actions to align your management systems and procedures to agree with the standards set by the ISO. Have these steps implemented and practiced, so that the changes can be adapted to gradually.

Have your quality management system evaluated. Once the needed changes have been realized, then it is time to request an outside audit by the registrar of the ISO certification body. An audit of your management systems will begin, and once approved, then you are certified to have met ISO’s requirements. ISO will then give you the certification, once they have approved the quality of your management system.

It’s also important to note that a company may opt not to get certification from ISO, but still use this standard to their advantage. Instead of requesting a certification from ISO, the company or business may form an ISO compliant management system and simply market your company as compliant with the ISO 9000 standard of choice.

High quality standards and procedures are key for any business or company. They promote a culture of excellence and hard work. And in return, this practice can improve company performance and sales. ISO accreditation will affirm the quality for which you want your company to be known. You can also keep company standards high by regularly taking continuing education courses in business.

Read more on ISO 9000 Standards at http://www.iso9000-standards.com