ISO 14001 Environmental Standard: Process Approach and Identification of Environmental Aspects and Impacts
Environmental management is the management of activities that may have an impact on the environment [1]. It aims to limit polluting emissions and risks to the environment and to save natural resources [2]. Often unsuspected and therefore without us always realizing it, all economic activities can have a considerable impact on the environment [3]. Indeed, the manufacture of products requires the extraction of raw materials and the use of water and energy [4]. Similarly, activities associated with the manufacturing process, such as maintenance, transportation; all have environmental impacts [5]. The environmental management system is a progress tool that integrates the environmental dimension into an organization’s strategy, leading it to set objectives, achieve and maintain performance through effective management and promotes anticipation (the forecast). There is a multitude of guides allowing self-diagnosis by the organization and which make it possible to make an environmental assessment. ISO 14001 is the environmental management standard created by the international organization for standardization [6]. It defines the requirements of a global environmental management system for self-reporting or certification purposes [7]. It is organized in 17 points modeled on quality management, well known for 34 years in the industry. The standard does not establish any absolute requirement for environmental performance, other than a commitment to environmental policy, to comply with legislation and the principle of continuous improvement [8].