Introduction The ISO 14000 series of environmental management standards are intended to assist organizations manage the environmental

effect of their business practices. The ISO 14000 series is similar to the ISO 9000 series published in 1987. The purpose of the ISO 9000 series is to encourage organizations to institute quality assurance management programs. Although ISO 9000 deals with the overall management of an organization and ISO 14000 deals with the management of the environmental effects of an organization, both standards are concerned with processes, and there is talk of combining the two series into one. Both series of standards were published by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. The purpose of ISO is to facilitate international trade and cooperation in commercial, intellectual, scientific and economic endeavors by developing international standards. ISO originally focused on industrial and mechanical engineering standards. Now, it has ventured into setting standards for an organization's processes, policies, and practices. Both series of standards stemmed from concerns about international trade. One of the issues of the 1986 GATT negotiations in Uruguay was the removal of non-tariff trade barriers. Standards fall into this category. The ISO 9000 standard was published about a year after the Uruguay GATT negotiations. The ISO 14000 standards are a response to both the GATT negotiations and to the growing global concern for the environment as evidenced by the 1992 Rio Conference on the environment. Both the ISO 9000 and the ISO 14000 series have critics and proponents. The critics of the standards point out that quality management policies proposed by ISO 9000 do not necessarily result in quality products. Critics also project that the environmental management policies of ISO 14000 will not guarantee that an organization is not
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damaging the environment. Both series require third-party certification, and the certification business is booming, thanks in part to these two standards. Questions have risen regarding the fairness of the certification process. Both series are heavy in their documentation requirements and demand a significant amount of time and personnel. The proponents of the series point to the economic benefits that can be gained by putting the standards into practice. These benefits include the opening of new markets and the development of streamlined procedures, which can lead to increased profits. There are also non-tangible benefits of ISO 14000 certification, such as improved employee morale, improved corporate image, and the feeling of "doing the right thing". Because of the strong similarities between the two standards, it is almost impossible to discuss ISO 14000 without including a discussion of ISO 9000 and the ISO standardssetting process. In addition, the experiences that organizations have had with the ISO 9000 series have raised questions that many people want resolved before they wholeheartedly embrace the ISO 14000 series. The reader will gain the most information from this paper by reading the following sections in the order in which they are listed below:

Overview of ISO 14000: Many believe that environmental protection movements originated in the 1960s. However, the sentiments of environmentalism can be seen in the conservation efforts that began in the late 1800s. The first environmental protection law in the United States w as the Refuse Act of 1899. However, it was not until the 1960s that the environment became a political and consumer issue. Increased environmental activism in the 1980s created a greater consumer awareness of the environmental issues. More and more environmental regulations were enacted and companies began to use their adherence to these regulations as marketing tools. The Rio Conference on the Environment in 1992 reflected increased global concerns about the
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environment and called for a world commitment to the protection of the environment. These concerns, coupled with the GATT negotiations in Uruguay in 1986 which calle d for the removal of non-tariff trade barriers, were the impetus behind ISO 14000. ISO Technical Committee 207 is responsible for the ISO 14000 series of standards. Just as the ISO 9000 standards are based on the British BS 5750 standard of 1979, the ISO 14000 series are based on the British standard BS 7750 which was instituted in 199 2. This standard also served as the basis for the European Union's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), a more stringent set of standards strongly influenced by the high environmental standards of German companies. EMAS differs from ISO 14000 in that it emphasizes public environmental reporting. Many organizations had taken little interest in ISO 9000 when it was in development and were surprised by the overwhelming acceptance of ISO 9000. These organizations were wary of a new international standard in ISO 14000 and they took a more active inte rest in it's development. Subsequently the standards of BS 7750 were softened in order to be acceptable by countries outside of Europe. In particular, US companies who can be subjected to expensive civil suits, were very hesitant to endorse a stringent set of environmental management standards. The fear is that violation of these standards could result in litigation. Some organizations, for example, fear that the extensive documentation required by the ISO 14000 series could be used against them in an y legal action regarding violation of environmental regulations. The actual environmental standards of ISO 14000 deal with how a company manages the environment inside it's facilities and the immediate outside environment. However, the standards also call for analysis of the entire life cycle of a product, from raw ma terial to eventual disposal. These standards do not mandate a particular level of pollution or performance, but focus on awareness of the processes and procedures that can effect the environment. It should be noted that adherence to the ISO 14000 standa rds does not in anyway release a company from any national or local regulations regarding specific performance issues regarding the environment.

Benefits of ISO 14000 The ISO 14000 standards are practical tools for organizations who are not satisfied with mere compliance with legislation which may be perceived as a cost of doing business. They are useful tools for proactive organizations who understand that implementing a strategic approach can bring return on investment in environment-related measures.

The systematic ISO 14001:2004 approach requires the organization to take a hard look at all areas where its activities have an environmental impact. A properly designed ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System (EMS) allows efficient identification of opportunities for cost savings. It can trigger procedural and/or technological changes that reduce the total cost of a product or improve its value.

Some of the benefits of implementing an ISO 14000 Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the ISO 14000 standards include:

1.Operational Benefits

Efficiency, discipline and operational integration with ISO 9000 Greater employee involvement in business operations with a more motivated workforce

Easier to obtain operational permits and authorizations Assists in developing and transferring technology within the company Helps reduce pollution Fewer operating costs Savings from safer workplace conditions Reduction of costs associated with emissions, discharges, waste handling, transport & disposal

Improvements in the product as a result of process changes Safer products

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2. Environmental Benefits

Minimizes hazardous and non-hazardous waste Conserves natural resources - electricity, gas, space and water with resultant cost savings

Prevents pollution and reduces wastage

3. Marketing Benefits

Demonstrates to customers that the firm has met environmental expectations Meets potential national and international government purchasing requirements Delivers profits from marketing "green" products Provides a competitive marketing tool Improves international competitiveness

4. Financial Benefits

Improves the organizations relationship with insurance companies Elimination of costs associated with conformance to conflicting national standards

Process cost savings by reduction of material and energy input Satisfying investor / shareholder criteria Helps reduce liability and risk Improved access to capital

ISO 14001:2004 ISO 14001:2004 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It does not state requirements for environmental performance, but maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. It can be used by any organization regardless of its activity or sector. Using ISO 14001:2004 can provide assurance to company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved. The benefits of using ISO 14001:2004 can include:

Reduced cost of waste management Savings in consumption of energy and materials Lower distribution costs Improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public

ISO 14001:2004 and SMEs Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) also benefit from ISO 14001:2004. However, implementing an environmental management system in SMEs can be challenging. The publication ISO 14001, Environmental Management Systems - An easy to use checklist for small business, will help SMEs to achieve the benefits of implementing an environmental management system based on ISO 14001.

Benefits of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Constructing and registering an Environment Management System to the ISO 14001 standards will benefit you by:

Providing your company with assurance that you meet, and will continue to meet, your environmental management system commitments and corporate policy requirements.

Providing potentially fewer surveillance visits from regulatory agencies. Showing your business partners, regulatory agencies, and community that you are environmentally responsible.

Increasing competitiveness. Increasing profits through potential process improvements and energy conservation.

Reducing your environmental liability. Reducing costs as a result of potentially lower insurance rates. Verifying your systems for recognizing and complying with environmental laws and regulations.

Improving relationships with regulators - organizations that implement an ISO 14001 EMS often report improved relations with government regulatory agencies, find that regulators are quicker to provide technical support, and find that the regulators are much more supportive in general.

Capturing institutional knowledge - ISO 14001 ensures this information is properly documented, communicated and retained. The cyclical nature of this management system further ensures all system information is reviewed and updated at least annually.

Streamlining operations - organizations often realize monetary savings as a result of greater operational efficiency and energy conservation, and reduction in use of hazardous materials and generation of hazardous wastes.

Increased awareness and participation - organizations benefit from better communication about environmental issues inside and outside the organization. ISO 14001 gives people an avenue to raise environmental issues and makes it clear that environmental performance is an important part of the corporate culture.

Safety benefits by reviewing the procedures for controlling significant operations, including a review of emergency preparedness and response procedures, organizations are able to identify and implement significant safety improvements.