Environmental management systems

Environmental management systems aim to ensure that a company or organisation are compliant with it Environmental Policy and as a minimum, comply with relevant national and international legislation. Whether a company has a formal EMS or not, any company that is serious about its environmental performance should have an environmental policy which defines their intentions and sets out a framework for achieving them.

The most common formal EM systems are given below and linked to more information about each type.

» International level - ISO 14001

» European level - Eco -Management and Audit Scheme (EMS)

» National Level - British Standard 7750

Each business in the recreational boating sector will differ and whilst some aspects are generic to all organisations some will be relevant only to a particular activity. There are however identifiable steps that can be taken in the development of an environmental management system. These are PLAN, DO, CHECK, REVIEW. The BMF/RYA/Environment Agency's Code of Practice recommend that companies:

1. Identify the effects that your business has on the environment
2. Identify which aspects of your business's activities are affected by legislation
3. Develop an environmental policy
4. Identify ways in which improved environmental management and good practice can improve your environmental performance (and which make good business sense) and develop objectives and targets to meet these
5. Monitor and measure performance
6. Review performance against targets and take corrective action if necessary

NetRegs, the free website providing environmental guidance for small businesses, have published updated guidelines on environmental management systems and environmental reporting. These could help you improve your business’ environmental performance and become more cost efficient.

» Read the updated guidelines and find out how can improve your business's environmental performance

Environmental Legislation

Since the early 1990's, industry has been increasingly subject to environmental regulation, much of it driven by European legislation. There are now tight controls on atmospheric and trade effluent emissions and on the disposal of waste materials.

Download the Listing of Legislation affecting ports and harbours for examples of how regulations can affect operations in these areas.

Download your copy of the Code of Practice or view it online at
www.ecop.org.uk