Environmental management systems - Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation
1 Scope
This document gives guidelines for a phased approach to establish, implement, maintain and improvean environmental management system (EMS) that organizations, including small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs), can adopt to enhance their environmental performance.
The phased approach provides flexibility that allows organizations to develop their EMS at theirown pace, over a number of phases, according to their own circumstances. Each phase consists of sixconsecutive stages. The system's maturity at the end of each phase can be characterized using the five.level maturity matrix provided in Annex A.
This document is applicable to any organization regardless oftheir current environmental performance,the nature ofthe activities undertaken or the locations at which they occur.
The phased approach enables an organization to develop a system that ultimately satisfies therequirements of GB/T 24001.
The guidance does not cover those elements of specific systems that go beyond GB/T 24001 and it is notintended to provide interpretations ofthe requirements of GB/T 24001.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Terms related to organization and leadership
3.1.1
management system
set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization (3.1.4) to establish policies and objectives(3.2.5)and processes (3.3.5)to achieve those objectives
Note 1: A management system can address a single discipline or several disciplines fe.g. quality,environment (3.2.1), occupational health and safety, energy, financial management].
Note 2: The system elements include the organization's structure, roles and responsibilities, planningand operation,performance evaluation and improvement.
Note 3: The scope of a management system can include the whole of the organization, specific andidentified functions of the organization, specific and identified sections of the organization, or one or morefunctions across a group of organizations.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.1.1]
3.1.2
environmental management system
part of the management system (3.1.1) used to manage environmental aspects (3.2.2), fulfil complianceobligations (3.29),and address risks and opportunities (3.2.11)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.2]
3.1.3
environmental policy
intentions and direction of an organization (3.1.4) related to environmental performance (3.4.11), asformally expressed by its top management(3.1.5)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.3]
3.1.4
organization
person or group of people that has its own functions with responsibilities, authorities and relationshipsto achieve its objectives (3.2.5)
Note: The concept of organization includes, but is not limited to sole-trader, company, corporation, firmenterprise, authority, partnership, charity or institution, or part or combination thereof, whether incorporatedor not, public or private.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.4]
3.1.5
top management
person or group of people who directs and controls an organization (3.1.4) at the highest level
Note 1: Top management has the power to delegate authority and provide resources within theorganization.
Note 2: lf the scope of the management system (3.1.1) covers only part of an organization, then topmanagement refers to those who direct and control that part of the organization.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.5]
3.1.6
interested party
person or organization (3.1.4) that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by adecision or activity
Example: Customers, communities, suppliers, regulators, non-governmental organizations, investors andemployees.
Note: To "perceive itselfto be affected" means the perception has been made known to the organization.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.6]
3.2 Terms related to planning
3.2.1
environment
surroundings in which an organization (3.1.4) operates, including air, water, land, natural resourcesflora, fauna, humans and their interrelationships
Note 1: Surroundings can extend from within an organization to the local, regional and global system.
Note 2: Surroundings can be described in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, climate or othercharacteristics.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.1]
3.2.2
environmentalaspect
element of an organization's (3.1.4) activities or products or services that interacts or can interact withthe environment(3.2.1)
Note 1: An environmental aspect can cause (an)environmental impact(s)(3.2.4). A significantenvironmental aspect is one that has or can have one or more significant environmental impact(s).
Note 2: Significant environmental aspects are determined by the organization applying one or morecriteria.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.2]
3.2.3
Environmentalcondition
state or characteristic ofthe environment (3,2.1) as determined at a certain point in time
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.3]
3.2.4
Environmentalimpact
change to the environment (3.2.1), whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from anorganization's(3,1.4)environmental aspects(3.2.2)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.4]
3.2.5
objective
result to be achieved
Note 1: An objective can be strategic, tactical or operational.
Note 2: Objectives can relate to different disciplines (such as financial, health and safety, andenvironmental goals) and can apply at different levels [such as strategic, organization-wide, project, product,service and process (3.3.5)].
Note 3: An objective can be expressed in other ways, e.g. as an intended outcome, a purpose, anoperational criterion, as an environmental objective (3.2.6), or by the use of other words with similar meaninge.g.aim, goal, or target).
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.5]
3.2.6
environmental obiective
objective (3.2.5) set by the organization (3.1.4) consistent with its environmental policy (3.1.3)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.6]
3.2.7
prevention of pollution
use of processes (3.3.5), practices, techniques, materials, products, services or energy to avoid, reduceor control (separately or in combination) the creation, emission or discharge of any type of pollutant orwaste,in order to reduce adverse environmental impacts (3.2.4)
Note: Prevention of pollution can include source reduction or elimination; process, product or servicechanges; efficient use of resources, material and energy substitution;, reuse, recovery, recycling, reclamation; ortreatment.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.7]
3.2.8
requirement
need or expectation that is stated, generallyimplied or obligatory
Note 1: "Generally implied" means that it is custom or common practice for the organization (3.1.4) andinterested parties (3.1.6) that the need or expectation under consideration is implied.
Note 2: A specified requirement is one that is stated, for Example in documented information (3.3 2)
Note 3: Requirements other than legal requirements become obligatory when the organization decidesto comply with them.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.2.8]
3.2.9
compliance obligations (preferred term)
legal requirements and other requirements (admitted term)legal requirements (3.2.8) that an organization (3.1.4) has to comply with and other requirements thatan organization has to or chooses to comply with
Note 1: Compliance obligations are related to the environmental management system (3.1.2)
Note 2: Compliance obligations can arise from mandatory requirements, such as applicable laws andregulations, or voluntary commitments, such as organizational and industry standards, contractual relationships,codes of practice and agreements with community groups or non-governmental organizations.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.2.9]
3.2.10
risk
effect of uncertainty
Note 1: An effect is a deviation from the expected - positive or negative.
Note 2: Uncertainty is the state, even partial, of deficiency of information related to, understanding orknowledge of, an event,its consequence, or likelihood.
Note 3: Risk is often characterized by reference to potential "eyents" (as defined in GB/T 23694-2013, 4.5.1.3) and "consequences" (as defined in GB/T 23694-2013, 4.6.1.3), or a combination ofthese.
Note 4: Risk is often expressed in terms of a combination of the consequences of an event (includingchanges in circumstances) and the associated "likelihood" (as defined in GB/T 23694-2013, 4.6.1.1) of occurrence.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.2.10]
Standard
GB/T 43385-2023 Environmental management systems—Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation (English Version)
Standard No.
GB/T 43385-2023
Status
valid
Language
English
File Format
PDF
Word Count
14500 words
Price(USD)
435.0
Implemented on
2024-3-1
Delivery
via email in 1~5 business day
Detail of GB/T 43385-2023
Standard No.
GB/T 43385-2023
English Name
Environmental management systems—Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation
Environmental management systems - Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation
1 Scope
This document gives guidelines for a phased approach to establish, implement, maintain and improvean environmental management system (EMS) that organizations, including small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs), can adopt to enhance their environmental performance.
The phased approach provides flexibility that allows organizations to develop their EMS at theirown pace, over a number of phases, according to their own circumstances. Each phase consists of sixconsecutive stages. The system's maturity at the end of each phase can be characterized using the five.level maturity matrix provided in Annex A.
This document is applicable to any organization regardless oftheir current environmental performance,the nature ofthe activities undertaken or the locations at which they occur.
The phased approach enables an organization to develop a system that ultimately satisfies therequirements of GB/T 24001.
The guidance does not cover those elements of specific systems that go beyond GB/T 24001 and it is notintended to provide interpretations ofthe requirements of GB/T 24001.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Terms related to organization and leadership
3.1.1
management system
set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization (3.1.4) to establish policies and objectives(3.2.5)and processes (3.3.5)to achieve those objectives
Note 1: A management system can address a single discipline or several disciplines fe.g. quality,environment (3.2.1), occupational health and safety, energy, financial management].
Note 2: The system elements include the organization's structure, roles and responsibilities, planningand operation,performance evaluation and improvement.
Note 3: The scope of a management system can include the whole of the organization, specific andidentified functions of the organization, specific and identified sections of the organization, or one or morefunctions across a group of organizations.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.1.1]
3.1.2
environmental management system
part of the management system (3.1.1) used to manage environmental aspects (3.2.2), fulfil complianceobligations (3.29),and address risks and opportunities (3.2.11)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.2]
3.1.3
environmental policy
intentions and direction of an organization (3.1.4) related to environmental performance (3.4.11), asformally expressed by its top management(3.1.5)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.3]
3.1.4
organization
person or group of people that has its own functions with responsibilities, authorities and relationshipsto achieve its objectives (3.2.5)
Note: The concept of organization includes, but is not limited to sole-trader, company, corporation, firmenterprise, authority, partnership, charity or institution, or part or combination thereof, whether incorporatedor not, public or private.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.4]
3.1.5
top management
person or group of people who directs and controls an organization (3.1.4) at the highest level
Note 1: Top management has the power to delegate authority and provide resources within theorganization.
Note 2: lf the scope of the management system (3.1.1) covers only part of an organization, then topmanagement refers to those who direct and control that part of the organization.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.5]
3.1.6
interested party
person or organization (3.1.4) that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by adecision or activity
Example: Customers, communities, suppliers, regulators, non-governmental organizations, investors andemployees.
Note: To "perceive itselfto be affected" means the perception has been made known to the organization.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.1.6]
3.2 Terms related to planning
3.2.1
environment
surroundings in which an organization (3.1.4) operates, including air, water, land, natural resourcesflora, fauna, humans and their interrelationships
Note 1: Surroundings can extend from within an organization to the local, regional and global system.
Note 2: Surroundings can be described in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, climate or othercharacteristics.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.1]
3.2.2
environmentalaspect
element of an organization's (3.1.4) activities or products or services that interacts or can interact withthe environment(3.2.1)
Note 1: An environmental aspect can cause (an)environmental impact(s)(3.2.4). A significantenvironmental aspect is one that has or can have one or more significant environmental impact(s).
Note 2: Significant environmental aspects are determined by the organization applying one or morecriteria.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.2]
3.2.3
Environmentalcondition
state or characteristic ofthe environment (3,2.1) as determined at a certain point in time
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.3]
3.2.4
Environmentalimpact
change to the environment (3.2.1), whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from anorganization's(3,1.4)environmental aspects(3.2.2)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.4]
3.2.5
objective
result to be achieved
Note 1: An objective can be strategic, tactical or operational.
Note 2: Objectives can relate to different disciplines (such as financial, health and safety, andenvironmental goals) and can apply at different levels [such as strategic, organization-wide, project, product,service and process (3.3.5)].
Note 3: An objective can be expressed in other ways, e.g. as an intended outcome, a purpose, anoperational criterion, as an environmental objective (3.2.6), or by the use of other words with similar meaninge.g.aim, goal, or target).
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.5]
3.2.6
environmental obiective
objective (3.2.5) set by the organization (3.1.4) consistent with its environmental policy (3.1.3)
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.6]
3.2.7
prevention of pollution
use of processes (3.3.5), practices, techniques, materials, products, services or energy to avoid, reduceor control (separately or in combination) the creation, emission or discharge of any type of pollutant orwaste,in order to reduce adverse environmental impacts (3.2.4)
Note: Prevention of pollution can include source reduction or elimination; process, product or servicechanges; efficient use of resources, material and energy substitution;, reuse, recovery, recycling, reclamation; ortreatment.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016, 3.2.7]
3.2.8
requirement
need or expectation that is stated, generallyimplied or obligatory
Note 1: "Generally implied" means that it is custom or common practice for the organization (3.1.4) andinterested parties (3.1.6) that the need or expectation under consideration is implied.
Note 2: A specified requirement is one that is stated, for Example in documented information (3.3 2)
Note 3: Requirements other than legal requirements become obligatory when the organization decidesto comply with them.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.2.8]
3.2.9
compliance obligations (preferred term)
legal requirements and other requirements (admitted term)legal requirements (3.2.8) that an organization (3.1.4) has to comply with and other requirements thatan organization has to or chooses to comply with
Note 1: Compliance obligations are related to the environmental management system (3.1.2)
Note 2: Compliance obligations can arise from mandatory requirements, such as applicable laws andregulations, or voluntary commitments, such as organizational and industry standards, contractual relationships,codes of practice and agreements with community groups or non-governmental organizations.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.2.9]
3.2.10
risk
effect of uncertainty
Note 1: An effect is a deviation from the expected - positive or negative.
Note 2: Uncertainty is the state, even partial, of deficiency of information related to, understanding orknowledge of, an event,its consequence, or likelihood.
Note 3: Risk is often characterized by reference to potential "eyents" (as defined in GB/T 23694-2013, 4.5.1.3) and "consequences" (as defined in GB/T 23694-2013, 4.6.1.3), or a combination ofthese.
Note 4: Risk is often expressed in terms of a combination of the consequences of an event (includingchanges in circumstances) and the associated "likelihood" (as defined in GB/T 23694-2013, 4.6.1.1) of occurrence.
[SOURCE: GB/T 24001-2016,3.2.10]
