Write Explanatory notes on : i) Initial Environmental Review (IER) ii) Management Review (MR)
Answer:-
Initial Environmental Review
The Initial Environmental Review (IER) is the first step in creating an Environmental Management System (EMS). It provides an assessment of the organization’s environmental impact and helps to create a roadmap for improvement. This review helps organizations understand where they currently stand regarding their environmental performance and provides a foundation for building an effective EMS.
Key Features of the Initial Environmental Review
- Environmental Understanding: Helps the organization understand the aspects that have a significant environmental impact.
- Roadmap Creation: Creates a clear pathway for setting environmental goals and improving performance.
- Starting Point for EMS: Serves as the foundation for creating a robust EMS, enabling the organization to identify critical areas to focus on.
- Assessment and Audit: This process is distinct from an environmental audit, which assesses the performance of an existing EMS.
Four Main Areas of Focus in the Initial Environmental Review:
- Review Previous Environmental Issues: Identify past environmental problems and their causes.
- Regulatory Considerations: Assess any regulations that have a direct or operational impact on the organization.
- Identify and Evaluate Potential Environmental Issues: Identify potential environmental risks and evaluate them for significance.
- Outline Current Operations: Review current operations, how they are managed, and consider any indirect environmental impacts.
Management Review
Management Review is a critical process within the EMS to ensure that the system remains effective, efficient, and aligned with organizational goals. It provides an opportunity for senior management to assess the performance of the EMS and identify areas for improvement.
Purpose of Management Review
The primary objective of the management review is to ensure that the EMS is operating effectively and to identify areas where improvements can be made. It is a key component in maintaining an efficient and cost-effective system.
Key Objectives of Management Review:
- Ensure Suitability, Adequacy, and Effectiveness: Review the EMS to ensure it continues to meet the organization’s needs and environmental objectives.
- Review Changes in EMS: Address the need for updates in the environmental policy, objectives, targets, and other EMS elements.
- Identify Opportunities for Improvement: Continually assess ways to improve the EMS for better environmental performance.