DESIGNING

AN EFFECTIVE
POLICY
(Sheldon & Yoxon , 2006)
It is important to design a flexible, proactive, and clear
environmental policy as part of the wider EMS development
strategy.

The following are the foundations in creating

an effective EMS policy:
 The environmental policy must be business-focused within the
scope of the organization’s EMS;
 Present a good understanding of EMS;
 Reflect the current situation, often called the baseline or initial
environmental review;
 Provide a thorough understanding and knowledge of the
organization’s environmental aspects and impacts; and
 Show an understanding of legal and other requirements
pertinent to the organization
Five (5) keys areas that companies must address
when designing an environmental policy:

ATTITUDE ACCURACY
To establish an effective The environmental policy
policy, all members of an must set out goals in an
organization must possess a open, accurate, and
positive environmental realistic way.
outlook.

ADEQUATELY RESOURCED
Resources will be required to move the policy
from paper intent to active performance and
amplify the efforts of those involved
implementing EMS.
Five (5) keys areas that companies must address
when designing an environmental policy:

AWARENESS
The environmental policy must be properly
communicated and cascaded to all members of an
organization.

ACTION
Environmental management is a journey and not a
destination; the policy should reflect this by indicating
how an organization will monitor, progress, audit the
EMS, and act proactively.
 The following are the components in drafting
an effective environmental policy;

OVERVIEW
A summary of what an organization does in term of its activities,
products, and services.

STATEMENT OF INTENT
This outlines the role of a business and how it purposes to maximize
the opportunities presented by managing environmental aspects of its
activities.

STATEMENTS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES

These include declarations that address particular circumstances
relating to stakeholder problems, legal subjects, and environmental
concerns of a business.
 The following are the components in drafting
an effective environmental policy;

EXTERNAL PARTIES
These are customers, suppliers, vendors, contractors, and other
outside stakeholders of an organization.

CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT
This involves management commitment to implement, review, and
update the MES to achieve improvements in overall environmental
performance.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
- GROUP 6