"Environmental Management System (EMS) Standards"

"Environmental Management System (EMS) Standards"
There are signs that the business of supporting sites seeking ISO 14001 certification is expanding. Currently, the number of ISO 14001-certified sites in Japan has surpassed 5,500, with approximately 200 more sites obtaining certification each month. While certification is booming, the reality is that many sites struggle after certification because they don't know what specific actions to take or fail to recognize the benefits of certification. There are even occasional voices saying, "We want to surrender our certification." Consequently, the number of consulting engagements focused on providing support to these certified sites is gradually increasing.

"The Background: Regarding EMS Implementation"
This is likely because the focus has been on establishing systems aimed at obtaining ISO 14001 certification and passing audits, while concrete considerations for actual operation have been lacking. Many of the consultants providing support are, so to speak, "document specialists" or "manual specialists." They often handle the system in a purely administrative and mechanical manner, failing to suggest methods for improving environmental impact after certification, and as a result, many cases remain stuck at the level of mere on-site pollution control measures. Those receiving consulting services also focus their efforts on creating manuals for certification. Consequently, the EMS they went to the trouble of building and implementing lacks substance, and the PDCA cycle does not function. Environmental policies are all cut from the same cloth; if you were to remove the site name, you might not even be able to tell which site they came from.

"The other day, from a manager at a certified site"
I was consulted about the proper disposal of wood chips generated on-site. According to him, they used to burn this waste in an incinerator, but from now on, they must improve their practices in line with the recycling rate they've set as a target. However, they don't know how to do it. Options include incineration with heat recovery, converting it into MDF, or carbonization. There are even more recycling options, and when factoring in environmental efficiency, he said he simply doesn't know what to do. Furthermore, regarding the ongoing operation of the EMS, he pointed out a lag in employee training. Concrete challenges are beginning to surface at sites that have obtained ISO 14001 certification. Providing support for these certified sites is a viable business opportunity.