ISO 14001 in Japan: a time
for change
Does setting targets that are easily achieved lower the profile of ISO 14001? believes this happens all too often in Japan
The number of organizations in Japan certified to ISO 14001 exceeds 20,000. However, the rate at which organizations are renewing or gaining certifications is now slowing down. It may be the case that organizations have low expectations of effectiveness of the standard and its audits. While the focus should be on an environmental management systems (EMS) as an effective tool, more companies are focusing on passing audits and the standard’s effectiveness is lost. By focusing on ‘implementing the environmental policy’ and ‘compatibility between the environmental objectives and the environmental policy’ requirements of ISO 14001, an EMS can be used effectively.
Necessary vs achievable
If an organization’s environmental policy addresses the prevention of global warming then necessary environmental objectives, such as a 90 per cent reduction of greenhouse gases, should be established as environmental target points. The question here is not whether the establishment of this objective is achievable but whether it is necessary. If it is deemed necessary, current practice should be to establish the environmental objectives at high levels that cannot easily be achieved.
In Japan, specific time limits with for environmental objectives have become accepted, even though no such limits are listed in ISO 14001. Medium-term environmental targets are generally set at about three years and short-term targets at one year. Consequently, many certified organizations project targets that they deem achievable within these limits rather than aiming for what is necessary. But it is only through the establishment of high level objectives that expectations on what can be achieved will rise.
Best practice
An EMS is not a tool to make things easy but one that polishes an organization’s successes through a unified contribution by all its members. When environmental objectives are established so they can be easily achieved the plan-do-check-act model becomes deadwood and the EMS may be seen as effort without effect. It could be that such a sense of futility is the cause of withdrawals of certification.
Case Study
In order to implement the ‘prevention of global warming’ aspect of its environmental policy a large toothbrush manufacturer in Osaka, decided to decrease the output of carbon dioxide from the incineration of used toothbrushes by 90 per cent. The target is high but it forced the group to reach new levels of innovation.
In accordance with ISO 14001, the design department worked on the means to achieve this by reducing the volume of toothbrush handles by 90 per cent. Innovative ideas such as hollowing the insides of the handles and inserting filler material such as bamboo into the centre were the result. Through such a system the workforce can take responsibility for their own role in the EMS improvement and the system becomes a dynamic one.
Results vs processes
Recently, there has been a tendency with EMS to focus on results and outputs and less on the management system itself. However, the verification of an EMS’s performance is only one element in evaluating the efficiency of the current EMS and it cannot guarantee the future results of the system. The value of the auditor’s specialized ability is his or her ability to ensure ‘the continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness’ of the EMS. Put another way, whether or not there will be future success through use of that EMS. The professional assessment adds value through logical determination of the competency level of the EMS.
The future
The 12 years since the publication of ISO 14001 have been a period of rapid growth in the field of the EMS. To make successful EMS pervasive in the future there may be a pressing need for the promotion of effective auditors and the development of re-training programmes on the standard. It is also essential to rigorously reinterpret the terms and the interrelationships of the ISO 14001 requirements and to obtain a consensus within the ISO community.
The time has come for a revolution and the next generation of EMS should focus on:
- not one attempt at a solution but many
- not what is possible but what is necessary
- not concealment but openness
- not isolated actions but the co-operation of labor
- not completion but continual improvement
- not a performance-centered focus but a
system-centered one
All those engaged in ISO 14001 certification must not permit laziness and negligence in their approach to the standard and must remain aware of the self-fulfilling prophecy of low, achievable targets and a lack of change. Focusing on the ideals listed above can only work towards better achievement of the standard and effective environment management systems.
About the author
Shoichi Kurosawa is a visiting professor of environmental management theory and corporate social responsibility theory at Waseda University Graduate School. He works to raise social reliability, working under the theme ‘Enhancing the CSR management system through the second generation of EMS’.
 |
 Have an issue to raise? A question to ask? Give us your opinions now in the Online Forums. |
