Why should SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) implement ISO 14001?

Our senior consultant Tom Venafro has been working on EMS (Environmental Management Systems ) all his life. I was having a discussion with him and asked him, “Why should SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) implement ISO 14001?” In fact more, why are they reluctant to meet this responsibility. Are these companies even aware that just being efficient (using a system based on ISO 9001:2008) may ensure efficiency, however unless the byproducts and pollutants which are the result of a process are controlled the organizations will eventually see a declining “cash in the bank”. Going further, and learning from 9/11 we know that an efficient system should not only take care of the environment to be profitable and viable but must be secure. The implementation of  a system to protect the global supply chain based on ISO 28000 needs to be considered as an asset. Social responsibility is integral to good business today. On ISO 14001 Tom had the following views:

Small and medium business should be considering ISO 14001 EMS for their sustainability in more ways than one. Of course having a certified EMS will provide both a green "sustainable" future as well as a green "monetary" bottom line.

Aside from and implemented EMS being the right thing to do for the environment, it also reaps financial benefits.  Recycling programs means less waste to landfill, less regular waste pick-ups more money saved. The EMS will provide the framework for a company to be a good steward of the environment and help reduce its impact on the environment. This equates to more control over pollution sources and less fines from regulators and huge "cradle to grave" liability.

These items are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the water line the hidden benefits begin to pile up. Employee moral improves, process organization and efficiency increases. Employee awareness from a EMS seeps into employee's home lives furthering green living.  These combined activities begin to make an larger positive impact on society. This eventually trickles down to economics, meaning that the positive cumulative effect of pollution prevention contributes to keeping costs to taxpayers low.

An EMS is the guide organizations should use to trigger constructive environmental thought. For example, 14001 clause 4.4.7 Emergency Preparedness and Response is meant for an organization to consider the environmental impact that can be caused from an emergency or natural disaster. This is not a normal consideration that would not usually be made.

The standard requires that employees understand the aspects and targets the organization is trying to obtain. Most importantly, they require that employees and contractors understand the consequences of their departure from specified procedures or operational controls.

Of course the EMS has the same customer benefits in the marketplace as ISO 9001QMS does.  Customers will ask and require a certified EMS more going forward. Having an EMS is a case of "sustainability".