For micro and small organizations and start-ups, achieving an Environmental Management System (EMS) can feel like a big leap. Here is a breakdown of what you may need, key benefits, constraints, and how EHSQ Consultancy can help you:
Start-ups, Micro and Small Businesses need only the:
processes,
flowcharts
records and
procedures which are required to run the business in a successful manner without creating a host of paperwork and forms which are unnecessary.
Otherwise it becomes:
confusing,
pointless or a tick box exercise
actually waste time and resources
and won't be used.
Bear in mind that the same applies to the Health & Safety and Quality Management System requirements which ideally will be developed together and be integrated.
What is needed to create a useful Environmental Management System (EMS)?:
1. Commitment and leadership: A strong commitment is essential. This includes setting clear environmental goals and embedding sustainable practices into the company culture, vision and mission and ensuring everyone knows what the plan is.
2. Identify the environmental impact: Organisations need to evaluate how their activities impact the environment in both a positive and negative way, such as implementing sustainability goals, energy use, emissions, and waste management, travel arrangements, and use of resources. This also includes complying with legal requirements.
3. Plan and implement practical solutions: Creating policies, procedures, and tools to reduce environmental impacts. These will be developed based on an individual organisation’s scope of activities and workflows and will involve communication with employees.
4. Integrate with policies and procedures associated with quality, health & safety, production, sales, accounts etc to ensure it works for the organisation and takes account of lean principles in not wasting, time, resources, and money.
Key benefits of an EMS:
1. Cost Savings: An EMS helps reduce energy and resource use, which lowers costs. Small businesses can save money by managing waste better or using energy more efficiently; using automation and systems which work together to give the required output and are user friendly.
2. Enhanced reputation and market opportunities: Demonstrating environmental responsibility attracts environmentally-conscious customers, partners, and employees. They are now more discerning about the organisations and individuals they work with and alongside.
3. Give back: Bringing sustainability into the everyday. Have you thought about working towards the UN Sustainability Development Goals? Sounds daunting however there are so many ways in which an organisation can work towards even part of one of them. Even individuals can achieve this. Keep an eye out for later blogs and posts regarding this.
4. Legal compliance and risk reduction: Meeting environmental laws avoids fines, reduces liability, and improves risk management, which is vital for future growth.
Key constraints:
1. Limited Resources: Small businesses often lack the staff, time, and budget to implement an EMS, which can make it seem overwhelming.
2. Lack of Expertise: Micro and small businesses may not have in-house knowledge on environmental regulations, technologies, or best practices.
3. Lack of understanding on sustainability goals: They can seem daunting but with guidance small actions can make a difference and it is not only on carbon.
4. Time-Consuming Implementation: Introducing an EMS can take time away from core business operations, which is a challenge for start-ups focused on growth.
How can EHSQ Consultancy help you to achieve an EMS?:
1. Access to support: Providing help, support and guidance from >25 years of experience in a variety of sectors having a hands on approach in the past.
2. Knowledge of pitfalls and areas which may not be obvious and can seem overwhelming and daunting.
3. Awareness of compliance and statutory requirements: Provide the guidance you require to ensure awareness, compliance and evidence is maintained.
4. Use of tools, automations etc: to reduce duplication and repetition and work alongside and integrated with any other systems in place.
5. Training and guidance: Offering workshops, mentorship, or access to online resources helps build internal capabilities, empowering small organisations to manage their EMS.
6. Auditing: Independent auditing of the management system to ensure it meets the needs of the organisation and the statutory requirements. Review achievement of continual improvement against targets and plans.
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