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This article will review "Management Review" in the ISO 14001:2004 standard revision, including the "Management Review" requirement update and system recommendations for ISO 14001:2004 compliance.  The ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System (EMS) updated standards includes a clarification to the "Management Review" process and aligns management review through the identification of inputs and outputs with ISO 9000:2000.  In addition, the Management Review section now provides a clarification in the descriptions of the specific subjects and information that is to be collected and reviewed by top management.  "Management Review" represents a company's environmental management system review to ensure system suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the new version of ISO 14001:2004 on November 15, 2004.  Companies that are currently registered to the ISO 14001:1996 standard will need to upgrade their system and have them re-certified to the ISO 14001:2004 standard no later than May 15, 2006.  Beyond this date, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) will only recognize certificates for the ISO 14001:2004 standard.  The ISO and IAF have jointly developed a transition policy document with technical details of the transition requirements (IAF GD4:2004), which was published by IAF on December 20, 2004.

ISO 14001:2004 Management Review Update:

ISO 14001:2004, section 4.6 "Management Review", represents a top management review that is conducted at defined intervals, as determined by your organization.  The specification is requiring management review to include the following inputs and outputs.

Inputs To The Review Include:

• The results from performed internal audits

• The results from compliance audits or assessments (The evaluation of compliance is a new addition to the 2004 standard)

• The information from environmental inquiries, thus the communications from outside (external interested) parties and employees, to include complaints

• The environmental metrics or measurement of performance of your company or site

• The status of meeting Objectives and Targets Programs, including the plan vs. actual

• The status of actions from corrective and preventative activities

• Open actions and activities status from previous management reviews

• Environmental Changes in:

  • Legal and other requirements that apply to your company/site

  • Your organization's/site services, products, and activities

  • The output from environmental aspects new development or planned evaluation(s)

  • Technology and science advancements

• Accident and injury investigation, including emergency incidents and experiences from previous history (lessons learned)

• Continuous Improvement activities, including improvement recommendations and status

Outputs From The Review Include:

• Management Review and decisions about the EMS appropriateness (suitability), sufficiency (adequacy), and success (effectiveness)

• Changes to resources that include: financial, human, and physical

• Decisions and Actions associated with:

  • Environmental Policy

  • Objectives

  • Targets

  • Any Element of the EMS as deemed from Management Review

• Record of the Management Review should include:

  • Agenda items

  • Who attended

  • Meeting materials (presentation and/or handouts)

  • Management conclusion (decisions)

  • Any follow-up actions

Recommendations for Compliance to ISO 14001:2004 "Management Review"

Recommended Environmental Management System updates to comply with the ISO 14001:2004 standard include performing a gap analysis, top management training, and closing the gap analysis through top management involvement.

Perform a Gap Analysis
Review the following materials and processes and identify the missing items for compliance to ISO 14001:2004:

• Review EMS Manual

• Review Management Review Specification

• Review "Management Review" Minutes

Top Management Training
Develop a Top Management Review training program on ISO 14001:2004.  The training should be direct and specific, setting the expectations for Top Management in meeting the needs the requirement.

Closing Gap Analysis
Provide a summary of the ISO 14001:2004 "Management Review Needs" and proposed closure of gaps to Top Management.  Consider including this as part of top management training.

In Summary

ISO 14001:2004 "Management Review" includes the addition of inputs and outputs to the "Management Review" process within the EMS.  The inputs and outputs provide clarification to the process, including descriptions of the specific subjects, information that is to be collected and reviewed by top management, and the expectation for "Management Review" records.  The Recommendations for Compliance to ISO 14001:2004 "Management Review" includes performing a gap analysis, providing top management training, and closing the gaps, through top management involvement.

Companies that are registered to the ISO 14001:1996 standard will need to upgrade their system and be certified to the ISO 14001:2004 standard no later than May 15, 2006.  Thus the race has begun, "Management Review" represents one lap around the track or one requirement within the standard.  We will work through closing the gaps for the remaining elements and continue our drive towards the checkered flag of an ISO 14001:2004 compliant system in future articles.  Stay tuned!

If you are interested in learning more about the ISO 14001:2004 revision, please contact Paula Esty at (508) 970-0033 ext. 128.

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