ISO 14001:2004 and SME's

This section explains that small and medium-sized enterprises can also benefit from ISO 14001:2004 and points to some resources.

The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)to economies around the world is beyond dispute. Surveys have shown that, on a global basis, more than 90 % of all businesses are SMEs.

Experience shows that SMEs can implement an effective EMS and can realize a variety of benefits from doing so. However, EMS implementation in smaller enterprises can present significant challenges. An SME Task Group at ISO has developed recommendations to change that perception, and make it easier for SMEs to benefit from implementing an EMS based on ISO 14001:2004.

ISO 14001, Environmental Management Systems.
An easy-to-use checklist for small business. Are you ready ?

This combined handbook and CD will help make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to achieve the benefits of implementing an environmental management system based on ISO 14001. Working through the checklist format in a step-by-step manner will enable managers of an organization to determine its present environmental performance, and will help them identify areas for improvement.

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Taking the first steps

This article from ISO Management Systems magazine explains clearly how an SME can implement an environmental management system so that the process is not a series of hurdles, but rather a set of practical steps towards raising environmental and business performance.

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Using an EMS consultant – or going it alone

This article from ISO Management Systems magazine helps SME managers answer some essential questions. Should you hire a consultant to help with environmental management system implementation, or go it alone? What are the advantages and potential pitfalls? How can you get best value for money if you hire a consultant and what are the criteria you should use for choosing one?

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