Spotlight on Service (August 2009)
Updated Guidance Notes available for download!
ISO 14001 Demonstrating documentation control and legal
compliance
Two significant clauses in the International Environmental
Management System Standard ISO 14001 refer to being able to
demonstrate effective 'document control' as well as 'evaluation of
compliance'.
These clauses require businesses following ISO 14001 to be able
to demonstrate that they can ensure they are using the most up to
date documentation as well as ensuring that they have the ability
to evaluate their own environmental compliance.
For those that have been issued with the Mentor Environmental
Toolkit, 'document control' and 'evaluation of compliance' are
partially managed through Section 5 - 'Environmental Guidance
Notes'. Every guidance note produced by Mentor is positively
updated on a rolling 3 month basis. July's updates have now
been completed and uploaded to the 'client area' of the Mentor
internet pages.
Each guidance note is given a 'last updated' date giving you the
confidence that you are getting the most up to date legal guidance.
Where there are no significant changes to legislation, the last
updated date is still changed so that you can be confident that the
content has been verified as being accurate.
Those using the Environmental Toolkit, should log into
the 'client area' using their client number and password and
download/print the updated guidance notes which affect their
company. It is not necessary to download all the guidance
notes, just the ones specific to your business. If you are unsure
which guidance notes are relevant to your business or you don't
have a password for the website then contact your consultant or the
24 hour Environmental Advice Service on 0800 634 7000 (option
3).
Old versions of guidance notes should be removed from the
toolkit and archived in section 6 of the Toolkit in order to
demonstrate to an auditor that an effective document control system
is in place and is working effectively.
In addition, a guidance note 'document control history' has been
added to the client area so that those using the toolkit can see a
summary of the changes which have been made. Those using
the toolkit are advised to download and print this record and store
it in the toolkit in order to demonstrate effective document
control.
New Toolkit 'Forms' available for download!
The following new forms have been added to the client area of
the internet and are ready to be downloaded. Alternatively, contact
your consultant or the 24 hour Environmental Advice Service who
will be able to provide: -
EMS 25 Management Review
Meeting Template
EMS 26 EMS Committee Meeting Template
EMS 27 Post Training
Evaluation
EMS 28 Record of Company
Specific Procedures/Emergency Accident Procedures
EMS 29 Company Procedure
Template
EMS 30 Emergency Procedure
Template
If you are unsure, how to use these forms or where they
fit into your toolkit, then contact your consultant or the 24 hour
Environmental Advice Service.