gistration process. ISO 14000 In the policy statement, use words that can be audited and connect to significant aspects and impacts. Words such as "not", "never", always, and " empowered" are inappropriate. ISO 14000 One difference between many existing environmental programs and an ISO 14000 EMS is that the program may not be a a system integrated into all parts of the company. The ISO 14000 system spreads environmental responsibility throughout the organization. There are many gray areas in the ISO 14000 standard. Registrars vary in the way they interpret some things when performing audits. For example, a "major finding" means that there is an important nonconformance with ISO 14000. The nonconformances that are called major findings and what they mean to registration will vary among registrars. So, compare registrars in this area before choosing one. The ISO 14000 EMS is a system where each part is related to and integrated with the others. Environmental aspects, those elements of a company's activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment, are the key to the whole system. Impacts, policy, objectives, training, emergency preparedness, procedures, and documentation must all relate to the aspects. Many companies are moving easily into ISO 14000 because they were already doing many of the things it requires. So, even if a company is uncertain about its timing and commitment for ISO 14000, it can identify those aspects of the standard that can benefit it now and begin phasing them in over time. This "cherry picking" can bring immediate benefits and the phased approach will minimize disruption. If the market or regulators encourage registration, progress will be faster because of this foundation. For example, Rockwell Automation's registration effort was made easier because it was based upon environmental systems already in place. Modifications were all that was nece...
