Acorn Progress Matrix

IEMA Acorn Scheme
Environmental Management System Implementation Spreadsheet

This spreadsheet is designed to help you to develop an implementation plan for your
Environmental Management System (EMS) under The IEMA Acorn Scheme.
How to use this spreadsheet
The Acorn Scheme breaks down the EMS implementation process into 6 phases. Each phase is then broken down further into
a number of stages, and then tasks, which can be planned into the implementation programme, and progress tracked through
the use of Management Performance Indicators (MPI's).
A separate worksheet has been provided for each phase of The Acorn Scheme, with a description of the Stages & generic
Tasks involved on the left hand side, with a time chart along the top. This will enable you to set your own plan for
implementation, based on the time and resources that you have available.
Phases, Stages & Tasks

The Acorn Scheme is broken down into 6 phases.
Examples
Phase 1
Commitment and Establishing the baseline
Each Phase is broken down into a number of Stages.
Stage 1.1
Top management commitment
Each Stage is made up of a number of Tasks.
Task 1.1.1
Appointment of management representative
Management Performance Indicators (MPI's)

To monitor the progress of EMS implementation, each Phase, Stage and Task has been assigned an MPI score.
Using the key on the index page, each MPI can be scored to track progress, based on a simple scoring mechanism using a
scale from 0 (no action taken) to 3 (completion).
Scores should be entered for each task on a regular basis (e.g. monthly) to monitor progress. The scores for the stages and
phases are in most cases calculations based on task scores. (You only need to enter a score for MPI's in red text).
Overall Phase scores are shown as percentage completed, and are plotted on the summary chart (sheet 3)
Cell colours automatically change to match the MPI Scores, as shown in the key on the index page, to enhance the visual
impact and usefulness of the charts.
You might find it useful to insert comments against tasks or scores to make notes on your progress - go to INSERT, on the
Excel toll bar at the top of the screen, and select COMMENT from the drop down menu.
An example of an inserted comment can be seen by floating your mouse over this cell. Note the red triangle in the top right
hand corner indicates an inserted comment.
Next Page >>>

Disclaimer
IEMA copyright.
This material may be freely reproduced in its original form except for sale or advertising purposes.
The Insititute of Environmental Management & Assessment accepts no responsibility for any person(s) acting
on this material who fail to meet the achievement criteria outlined in BS 8555 or where any loss is incurred
Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

St Nicholas House
70 Newport
Lincoln
LN1 3DP
Tel: 01522 540069
Fax: 01522 540090
The Acorn Method TM Copyright 2002 The Acorn Trust. All Rights Reserved.
Web: www.iema.net
Company Name
Location / Division
IEMA Acorn Scheme EMS Implementation
Spreadsheet Index
Sheet
Name
Guidance
Index
Summary
Acorn
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
Phase 5
Phase 6
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Contents
How to use this spreadsheet
Index to spreadsheet and key to implementation chart
Chart of progress against Acorn Levels
Management Performance Indicators & timescales for each Acorn Level
Implementation plan for Phase 1
Navigate around the spread sheet either by using the buttons in the table above or by
clicking on the tabs at the bottom of the display
Key to Implementation plans
Scoring and colour codes for Management Performance Indicators
MPI Score
Status
No action taken
Initiated (needs major work)
Needs improvement
Completed
Implementation Progress Summary Charts

Note: Select chart according to whether you are aiming for Phase 5 (ISO14001) or Phase 6 (EMAS)
ISO14001 - Up to Phase 5
Implementation Progress
EMS Implementation Progress

Co./Division Name
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
1
Acorn Phase
Impleme ntation Progress
Date:
EMS Implementation Progress

Co. / Division Name
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Date:
3
Acorn
Phase 4
Company Name
1
2
3
4
5
6
MPI
Score &
Status
Phase 1: Securing Commitment and Establishing the Baseline
0%
Phase 2: Identifying Compliance with Legal & Other Requirements
0%
Phase 3: Developing Environmental Management Programmes
0%
Phase 4: Implementation & Operation of the EMS
0%
Phase 5: Checking, Audit and Review
0%
Phase 6: External Communication and EMAS
0%
Jan-05
IEMA Acorn Scheme EMS Implementation Summary
Months >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ISO 14001 Certification Audit

EMAS Registration Assessment
Index Overall Management Performance Indicator Score

Note: If you are not working towards EMAS (Phase 6) you will
need to take out Rows 9 & 11 and amend the equations in Row
13 to =SUM(C4:C8)/5 etc.
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Date
Achieved
Company Name
Back to Acorn Summary
Phase 1 EMS Implementation Programme

Timescales - to be determined >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Phase 1
MPI
By Who Score &

Status
0%
Securing Commitment and Establishing the Baseline
1.1 Top Management Commitment
0.00
1.1.1 Appoint a Management Representative
1.1.2 Senior management briefing/training on EMS & Acorn
1.1.3 Establish an EMS Implementation Team
1.1.4 Draft an outline of management structure and responsibilities under the

EMS
1.2 Baseline Assessment
0.00
1.2.1 Establish scope of Baseline Assessment and people involved
1.2.2 Produce site plan & drainage plan
1.2.3 Establish environmental history of site
1.2.4 Identify main activities, products & services
1.2.5 Identify likely significant aspects/impacts
1.2.6 Identify key legal requirements
1.2.7 Review existing management practices and suitability for ISO14001
1.2.8 Identify significant views of interested parties
0
0
1.2.9 Identify key environmentally related costs

1.3 Draft Environmental Policy
0.00
0
1.3.1 Develop a draft policy in line with ISO14001 requirements.

1.4 Develop EPE Indicators
0.00
1.4.1 Identify Environmental Performance Indicators to address key

environmental issues
1.4.2 Identify how indicators will be used an plan in any required actions
1.4.3 Commence data collection and recording
1.5 Draft EMS Implementation Plan
0.00
0
1.5.1 Develop EMS implementation plan

1.6 Training & Awareness
0.00
1.6.1 Identify opportunities & methods for publicising the programme and raising
environmental awareness
1.6.2 Initiate awareness raising activity
1.6.3 Identify key training needs for project implementation
1.6.4 Plan training in to meet identified needs
1.6.5 Initiate training programme
1.6.7 Make records of awareness raising and training activity conducted
1-Jan-05
Ref No. The Acorn Scheme Phase/Stage/Task
1.7 Initiate Continual Improvement Actions
0.00
1.7.1 Identify improvement initiatives and plan action
Company Name

Phase 2
MPI
By Who Score &
Identifying Compliance with Legal, Customer & Market Requirements
2.1 Identify all legal requirements
Status
0%
0.00
2.1.1 Identify relevant environmental legislation
2.1.2 Develop a register of legislation
2.1.3
Develop a procedure for identifying and reviewing legislative requirements
2.2 Identify all "other" requirements
0
0.00
Review other management systems or industry codes of practice for

2.2.1
environmental requirements
2.2.2 Review any contractual agreements for environmental requirements
2.2.3 Develop a register of relevant other environmental requirements
Develop a procedure for identifying and reviewing other requirements

2.2.4
2.3 Checking Compliance
0
0.00
Establish where and how each of the legal and other requirements apply to
2.3.1
your organisation
Check the organisation's level of compliance with identified legal and other
environmental requirements
2.3.2
2.4 Ensuring Compliance

2.4.1 Produce an action plan to address any non-compliances or additional
information and monitoring requirements identified in the compliance check
2.4.2
Develop operational and emergency procedures to adequately control

activities and ensure compliance with requirements
0.00
0
0
2.4.3 Identify any training needs highlighted and programme these in
Develop a documented procedure and processes for periodically evaluating

2.4.4
legal compliance
1-Jan-05
2.4.5
Develop a procedure for taking corrective action in response to compliance

checks or observed problems
2.4.6
Implement operational and emergency procedures as required (ensure that
these are communicated to suppliers and contractors where relevant).
2.4.7 Establish check backs on the application of procedures following
implementation
2.5 Develop indicators relating to compliance and liability
2.5.1
Identify and establish indicators that address key factors for demonstrating
compliance with legal and other requirements
0
0
0.00
0
2.5.2 Establish data collection methods for each indicator.
2.5.3 Plan to analyse and assess the data provided under each indicator.
2.5.4
Establish data verification practices and identify how indicator information

will be used.
Company Name
Phase 3
MPI
By Who Score &
Developing Environmental Management Programmes
3.1 Evaluation of Environmental Aspects
Status
0%
0.00
3.1.1
Identify all aspects and associated impacts related to your organisations

activities, products, and/or services.
3.1.2
Identify and develop the methodology which will be used for the significance
assessment of aspects
3.1.3 Evaluate the significance of the aspects identified

3.2 Finalise Environmental Policy
3.2.1
Finalise the draft environmental policy ensuring that it meets the requirements
of ISO 14001
0
0.00
0
3.2.2 Get the policy signed and dated by a top management representative
3.2.3 Make the policy publicly available
3.2.4 Disseminate the policy to all employees
Communicate the policy to key suppliers, customers, and other interested

3.2.5 parties as appropriate
3.3 Developing Objectives and Targets

3.3.1 Identify factors which have greatest influence over the performance of the
organisation in relation to policy commitments and significant aspects.
0.00
0
3.3.2
Establish objectives to improve performance against each of these influential

factors.
3.3.3
Establish detailed targets to directly support the achievement of each

objective.
3.4 Establishing Indicators for Environmental Performance Evaluation

3.4.1
Identify and establish indicators which address the terms of each target
0.00
0
3.4.2 Establish data collection methods for each indicator
3.4.3 Plan to analyse and assess the data provided under each indicator.
1-Jan-05
3.4.4
Develop practices and procedures for the handling, storage, and

communication of data.
3.4.5
Establish data verification practices and identify how indicator information will
be used
3.5 Developing Environmental Management Programmes

3.5.1
Identify actions and time scales required to achieve objectives and targets
0.00
0
3.5.2 Allocate responsibilities for completing identified tasks
3.5.3 Identify resources required for achieving objectives and targets
3.5.4 Gain management approval for the EMPs
3.5.5 Communicate EMPs to relevant parties

3.6 Developing Operational Control Procedures
3.6.1 Develop procedures (or modify existing procedures where appropriate) which
address significant aspects, so as to control and minimise related impacts
0
0.00
0
3.6.2
Assess awareness and training needs to support the introduction of

procedures, and programme this in
3.6.3
Implement procedures (ensure that these are communicated to suppliers and

contractors where relevant).
3.6.4
Establish check backs on the application of procedures following

implementation
3.7 Launching Environmental Policy, Objectives, Targets, and Indicators
0.00
3.7.1
Identify all parties who need to be made aware of the environmental policy,
objectives, targets, indicators and EMPs.
3.7.2
Identify the means by which this information will be effectively communicated

to all parties identified.
3.7.3 Launch the policy, objectives, targets, indicators, and EMPs
Company Name

Phase 4
MPI
By Who Score &
Implementation & Operation of the EMS
4.1 Finalising Management Structure & Responsibilities
Status
0%
0.00
4.1.1 Finalise the management structure for the EMS
4.1.2 Confirm the management representative for your EMS
Document responsibilities under the EMS for management and other key
4.1.3 personnel
4.1.4 Communicate responsibilities as documented, under the EMS, to all relevant

parties
4.1.5 Collate evidence that necessary resources are being made available to
progress EMPs and EMS implementation
4.2 Training Records & Plans

Conduct awareness raising activity with all employees and key personnel
4.2.1 regarding the key elements of the EMS, and Aspects and Impacts
0.00
0
4.2.2
Make arrangements for information about the EMS, and Aspects and Impacts
to be communicated to any new employees
4.2.3
Plan refresher sessions relating to your organisation's EMS, Aspects and

Impacts
4.2.4
Carry out a training and skills needs assessment for all employees and key
personnel
4.2.5
Identify competence requirements among employees or contractors

undertaking tasks which pose a high risk of environmental impact
4.2.6
Establish a process for collating, recording, and storing training records for all
employees or key personnel
4.2.7 Ensure training records are kept up to date and maintained
4.3 Establishing and maintaining formal communication
0.00
4.3.1
Determine the communications which will take place under the EMS to all
levels
1-Jan-05
4.3.2
4.3.3
Establish communications channels to support the planned communications

Establish a procedure for documenting and dealing with environmental
communications received from inside or outside the organisation
Record the organisation's position with regard to the external communication of

4.3.4 information relating to it's significant environmental aspects
4.4 Documentation and record keeping
0
0
0
0.00
Develop a map of the key elements of the EMS with cross referencing to
4.4.1
relevant documentation
4.4.2 Establish the document control approach that you will use for your EMS
4.4.3 Begin to implement document control procedures
Establish record keeping and maintenance procedures for all EMS

4.4.4
documentation
4.4.5
Determine retention periods for different types of EMS documentation and

records
4.5 Reviewing and testing emergency preparedness & response
0
0.00
Check that all likely emergency situations have been covered by procedures for
4.5.1
preparedness and response
4.5.2 Develop any additional procedures as required
4.5.3 Develop processes to test the effectiveness of emergency procedures
Establish a schedule of emergency procedure test drills with regard to

4.5.4
likelihood and potential severity of impact
4.5.5
Develop incident reporting procedures which include follow up investigation

procedures
4.6 Measuring features of the EMS

4.6.1 Identify any indicators (MPIs) which will help you manage to EMS itself
0
0.00
0
Company Name
Phase 5
MPI
By Who Score &
Checking, Audit and Review
5.1 Establishing EMS audit programmes
Status
0%
0.00
5.1.1 Develop an audit schedule
5.1.2 Develop auditing procedures
5.1.3 Identify auditor competencies and training requirements
5.1.4 Programme in auditor training (if required)
5.1.5 Commence auditing as per schedule
5.1.5 Report audit findings and maintain audit records
5.1.6 Review audit records for quality and objectivity
5.2 Correcting non-conformances and taking preventative action

5.2.1
Develop a procedure for recording and responding to non-conformances

(corrective or preventative)
0.00
0
5.2.2 Implement corrective and preventative action procedure
5.2.3 Review non conformances and subsequent corrective and preventative

actions for completion against target timescales and effectiveness
5.3 Management Review
0.00
5.3.1 Identify who needs to attend management review meetings
Develop a schedule for Management Review meetings and communicate to

5.3.2
relevant parties
5.3.3 Commence Management review meetings
5.3.4
Minute all review meetings (including actions and timescales for completion)
and circulate these to all relevant parties
5.4 Improving Environmental Performance

5.4.1
Identify new initiatives to help achievement of objectives and targets and

improve environmental performance
5.5 Improving the EMS

5.5.1 Identify improvements to the EMS
0
0.00
0
0.00
0
1-Jan-05
5.6 Preparing for your ISO14001 Assessment

Communicate to all employees and relevant parties with regard to the
5.6.1
assessment dates, times and requirements
0.00
0
5.6.2
Ensure all relevant documentation and evidence is available for assessment

if required
5.6.3
Visibly demonstrate your organisations commitment to the management of

it's environmental aspects
5.6.4
Ensure that senior management representatives will be available for the

opening and closing meetings
Company Name

Phase 6
MPI
By Who Score &
External Communication and EMAS
6.1 Review of the Baseline
Status
0%
0.00
6.1.1 Complete EMAS Gap Initial Environmental Review check list
6.1.2 Identify any areas which are not covered fully by your existing EMS
6.1.3 Ensure indirect aspects have been identified and consider influence that you
can have over indirect aspects identified
6.1.4 Check that significance assessment approach meets EMAS requirement
6.1.5 Assess any new aspects identified for significance
6.1.6 Ensure that suppliers and sub contractors that have an influence on your
environmental performance have been assessed
6.2 Review of Implementation
0.00
6.2.1 Complete EMAS Gap Implementation check list
6.2.3 Ensure policy makes a commitment to maintaining legal and regulatory

compliance at all times; and controls for legal and regulatory compliance
exist and are effective
6.2.4 Ensure policy makes a commitment to continual improvement of

environmental performance
6.2.5 Ensure policy encompasses any new significant aspects
6.2.6 Review Objectives, Targets, and EMPs to ensure they address new
significant aspects or policy commitments
6.2.7 Ensure evidence exists of employee involvement in the EMS development,

implementation, and ongoing operation
6.2.8 Ensure management review process involves review of objectives and

targets to evaluate performance
6.2.9 Ensure that suppliers and sub contractors have been made aware of your
environmental policy and are operating in line with it
1-Jan-05
6.2.10 Check what communications and dialogue are in place with the public and
other interested parties
6.3 Developing Reportable Information (DATA Collection Criteria)
0.00
6.3.1 Complete EMAS Gap check list
6.3.2 Identify any impacts (direct or indirect) which are not covered fully by your
existing indicators
6.3.3 Develop and implement any additional data collection or indicators
6.3.4 Ensure indicators chosen and data are understandable, unambiguous and
give an accurate picture of the organisation's environmental performance
6.3.5 Ensure indicators chosen and data can be compared on year to year basis
6.4 Auditing your Systems and Performance
0.00
6.4.1 Complete EMAS Audit Gap check list
6.4.3 Ensure that the audit programme and audit frequency of 3 years or less has
been defined
6.4.4 Check that audit programme clearly defines the scope of the audits
6.4.5 Ensure that your audit process includes an assessment of the data
necessary to evaluate environmental performance
6.4.6 Ensure that the audit involves spot-checking of compliance issues
6.5 Environmental Statement
0.00
6.5.1 Complete EMAS Environmental Statement Gap check list
6.5.3 Ensure that the information to be reported in the environmental statement

addresses your significant aspects and impacts
6.5.4 Ensure that the information to be reported in the environmental statement is

reliable, consistent, and can be verified from source data

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IEMA Acorn Scheme

Environmental Management System Implementation Spreadsheet

Phases, Stages & Tasks

Commitment and Establishing the baseline

Each Phase is broken down into a number of Stages.

Top management commitment

Each Stage is made up of a number of Tasks.

Appointment of management representative

Management Performance Indicators (MPI's)

Next Page >>>

Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

Initiated (needs major work)

Implementation Progress Summary Charts

EMS Implementation Progress

Impleme ntation Progress

EMS Implementation Progress

Phase 1: Securing Commitment and Establishing the Baseline

Phase 2: Identifying Compliance with Legal & Other Requirements

Phase 3: Developing Environmental Management Programmes

Phase 4: Implementation & Operation of the EMS

Phase 5: Checking, Audit and Review

Phase 6: External Communication and EMAS

IEMA Acorn Scheme EMS Implementation Summary

ISO 14001 Certification Audit

Index Overall Management Performance Indicator Score

Back to Acorn Summary

Phase 1 EMS Implementation Programme

By Who Score &

Securing Commitment and Establishing the Baseline

1.1 Top Management Commitment

1.1.1 Appoint a Management Representative

1.1.2 Senior management briefing/training on EMS & Acorn

1.1.3 Establish an EMS Implementation Team

1.1.4 Draft an outline of management structure and responsibilities under the

1.2 Baseline Assessment

1.2.1 Establish scope of Baseline Assessment and people involved

1.2.2 Produce site plan & drainage plan

1.2.3 Establish environmental history of site

1.2.4 Identify main activities, products & services

1.2.5 Identify likely significant aspects/impacts

1.2.6 Identify key legal requirements

1.2.7 Review existing management practices and suitability for ISO14001

1.2.8 Identify significant views of interested parties

1.2.9 Identify key environmentally related costs

1.3.1 Develop a draft policy in line with ISO14001 requirements.

1.4.1 Identify Environmental Performance Indicators to address key

1.4.3 Commence data collection and recording

1.5 Draft EMS Implementation Plan

1.5.1 Develop EMS implementation plan

1.6.2 Initiate awareness raising activity

1.6.3 Identify key training needs for project implementation

1.6.4 Plan training in to meet identified needs

1.6.5 Initiate training programme

1.6.7 Make records of awareness raising and training activity conducted

Ref No. The Acorn Scheme Phase/Stage/Task

1.7 Initiate Continual Improvement Actions

1.7.1 Identify improvement initiatives and plan action

Back to Acorn Summary