Routes to Accreditation

BS 8555 is a step by step approach to ISO 14001.  On completion Companies should be at the same standard as ISO 14001 but this particular route to the same goal allows companies that don’t have full-time resources to achieve certification to get there at their own pace.  Typically they may have an Environmental Manager who has many other key responsibilities and too busy to take on additional roles.

This approach implements the guidance of British Standard BS 8555:2003 – ‘Guidance to the phased implementation of an environmental management system including the use of environmental performance indicators’. The scheme involves the assessment and recognition (by a Certificate of Achievement) of each phase of the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) as laid down in the Standard.

The six phases of BS 8555 are:

• Commitment and establishing the baseline
• Identifying and ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements
• Developing objectives, targets and programmes
• Implementation and operation of the EMS
• Checking, auditing and review
• EMS acknowledgement: – ISO 14001 certification

How Abricon can help

Abricon provide substantive support for organisations working towards certification in environmental management BS EN ISO 14001:2004 and recognise that differing companies need different types of support in making strides towards this target.  Some companies may be under extreme supply-chain pressures and need assistance quick and direct, in this situation we have specialists who would integrate on a full-time basis into the business and drive certification from ‘within’.

Often such resources are not required due to differing pressures and a mentoring approach is a better solution. In this situation we would provide part-time mentoring support in simple short readily attainable steps staying tightly within the company’s budget and time frame.  Companies find that this hand holding approach is far less prescriptive than other means to the same end.  

ISO 14001 or BS 8555 which route to a certified EMS?

No matter which route serves the Customer best, Abricon’s Mentors pass on their skills quickly and efficiently.  We recognise that it is vital to allow companies to retain ‘ownership’ of their management system which is far better than buying a ‘typical management system’ off of the shelf and trying to adapt the companies procedures to match what is expected rather than what is actually done.

Gap Analysis

A gap analysis to establish where the Company is now and what additional work would be needed to achieve ISO 14001 is the best way to start.  Many of the existing management practices employed by the Company, especially if they already have an ISO 9001 (Quality Management) system in place, once documented are fit for purpose.  This analysis would also provide a list of work needed for the company to close that gap and allow for better resource planning.

Contact Abricon for free initial advice.