Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Change In ISO 14001:2004 – Documentation

Change In ISO 14001:2004 – Documentation
This clause has been updated to align it with ISO 19001:2004, but has not changed in intent. The listed EMS documentation now includes:
• the environmental policy,
• objectives and targets,
• a description of the scope of the EMS,
• a description of the main elements of the EMS and their interaction and reference to related documents, documents and records
• required by the standard, • documents and records determined by the organisation as necessary to ensure the effective planning, operation and control of processes that relate to the significant environmental aspects.
Formatting changes help align Clause 4.4.5 of ISO 14001:2004 with ISO 9001:2000. An additional clarification has been made to define records as a special type of document requiring control under Clause 4.5.4. A new addition to the requirements aims to ensure documents of external origin, (i.e. MSDS, permits) that are necessary to the system, are identified and their distribution is controlled.
Formatting changes help align Clause 4.4.5 of ISO 14001:2004 with ISO 9001:2000. An additional clarification has been made to define records as a special type of document requiring control under Clause 4.5.4. A new addition to the requirements aims to ensure documents of external origin, (i.e. MSDS, permits) that are necessary to the system, are identified and their distribution is controlled.
The revised standard requires documents required by the EMS and the standard to be controlled documents.
Note that “document” is included in the definitions, and includes its supporting medium which can be paper, magnetic, electronic or optical computer disc, photograph or master sample, or a combination thereof.

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