Mixed content

Question 1

Define SMART objectives

Answer 1

S: specific
M: measurable
A: achieveable (agreed)
R: relevant (realistic)
T: timed

Question 2

What are the environmental review assessments?

Answer 2

Key areas:
- env. aspects
- compliance obligations
- existing env. management practices (processes and procedures)
- evaluation of previous emergency situations and accidents, risk assessment in future

+ (new version):
- internal and external issues
- needs and expectations of interested parties
- scope of the EMS
- risk and opportunities

Question 3

Risk and opportunities (environment <–> org) is about:

Answer 3

• needs and opportunities of third parties
• compliance obligation assessment
• context of the org

all relevant for the env. performance

Question 4

Give three examples of compliance obligations that are not legislation.

Answer 4

• Contracts
• Codes of practice
• Expectations of third parties

Question 5

Interested parties could be…

Answer 5

customers, community groups, suppliers, regulators, neighbors, NGO’s, shareholders, local authorities, trading partners, trade unions, employees, env. authorities, media, business partners …

Question 6

What is external issues about?

Answer 6

environmental, legal, economic, technological, social or political issues (outside the org.)

Question 7

What is internal issues about?

Answer 7

events or products and services that may affect the env. performance
(inside the org.)

Question 8

Examples of env. aspects:

Answer 8

Waste, energy use, chemical use, plant and facilities maintenance, air emissions, historic and land contamination and ecology, water discharges, water use, materials use, transport and travel, products and travel , products use and disposal, marketing, advertising and packaging

Question 9

What commitments should the env. policy include?

Answer 9

• protection of the env.
• prevention of pollution.
• meet compliance obligations (laws and other requirements)
• continual improvement of env. performance in EMS
• other things that are relevant to the business, context and expectations of interested parties

Question 10

What stands FSC for?

Answer 10

Forest Stewardship Council

Question 11

What stands PEFC for?

Answer 11

Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification

(National standard)

Question 12

What are the three types of labelling and information schemes (ELIS)?

Answer 12

• Type 1: Ecolabels - third party reviewed, based on multi-attribute criteria and aimed towards customers
  ex: Nordic Swan, EU ecolabel
• Type 2: Self-declared environmental claims, not third party, specific focus on one area based on general guidelines
  ex: recyclable content, biodegradable
• Type 3: Environmental declarations -
  LCA based quantitive indicators of env performance to compare with other similar products
  can be third party reviewed, not always
  ex: Eco-Leaf, EPD

Question 13

Give examples on internal env. communication.

Answer 13

• inform employees in advance about the EMS and encourage them to start thinking about the part they can play.
• keep employees updated throughout the process, e.g. using noticeboard, internal emails, meetings, team briefings etc.
• ask employees for their ideas of e.g. efficiency
• be open with good and bad feedback
• offer suitable training to make sure the employees see the value of EMS procedures
• set up frequent env. management team meetings

Question 14

Give examples on external env. communication.

Answer 14

• give contractors and suppliers a copy of the env. policy and let them be aware of any env. issues at your site
• provide contractors training sessions if their duties require a higher degree of awareness, e.g. about procedures requirements and a presentation of highlighting env issues on site
• ask contractors to confirm that they have received info - documented evidence that training procedures are in place for external certification
• provide info about the EMS to external stakeholders by a business website and in an env. report