Environmental

Management System
ISO 14001

COTECNA INSPECTION SA
58, rue de la Terrassière
P.O. Box 6155
CH-1211 GENEVA 6
Tel. + 41 22 849 69 00
Fax + 41 22 849 69 89
[email protected]
www.cotecna.com
 Certification Process- ISO 14001

Table of Contents
1 EMS- ISO 14001 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Benefits 3
1.3 Why Cotecna 3
1.4 Important Links 3
1.5 Certification Process- ISO 14001 4
1.6 Application Process 4
1.7 Audit 4
1.8 Non-Conformity 5
1.9 Transfer of Certification 5

Change history
Version Author Description

Current Issue - 1 Sumit Dey Initial issue

dated 1st JAN 2018

2/5
 Certification Process- ISO 14001

1 EMS- ISO 14001

1.1 Introduction
Environment is common concern of the global society today thus there has been a huge push in the two
decades by consumers for companies to adopt better environmental management systems. It is expected by
all stake holders to act responsibly to manage their business without harming environment.
ISO 14001 - The Environment management system standard ISO 14001 is the most recognised standard to
demonstrate an organisation's commitment to environmental management and is considered one of the most
effective ways to manage your environmental impacts. Implementation of ISO 14001 helps organization that
wishes to set up, improve, or maintain an environmental management system to conform with its established
environmental policy and requirements. The standard focuses on prominence of environmental management
within the organization’s strategic planning processes, greater input from leadership and a stronger
commitment to proactive initiatives that boost environmental performance

1.2 Benefits
1. Demonstrate compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
2. Improve company reputation and the confidence of stakeholders through strategic communication.
3. Provide a competitive and financial advantage through improved efficiencies and reduced costs.
4. Achieve strategic business aims by incorporating environmental issues into business management.
5. Implement a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives, to achieving these and to
demonstrating that they have been achieved
6. Improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public

1.3 Why Cotecna

Swiss group founded in 1974. Extended network of over 100 offices & laboratories in 50 countries. The
Group offers services to both governmental and commercial organizations. Cotecna is one of the world’s
leading testing, inspection and certification companies. Cotecna Inspection India Pvt Ltd has experienced
experts on environmental aspects and experinced auditor with multiple competency to provide one umbrella
solution. COTECNA India can help an organisation as below

➢ Provides comprehensive training on all aspects of EMS

➢ Performs pre-assessment which helps the Organisation to understand their best route to certification
➢ Conducts the entire certification process to ensure compliance with Environmental management
standards

1.4 Important Links

https://www.iso.org/standard/60857.html

3/5
 Certification Process- ISO 14001

1.5 Certification Process- ISO 14001

Certification Decision
Contract Phase Phase
Certification Audit Phase
Questionnaire, Proposal & NC closure , Technical
Stage 1 & Stage 2 Audits
Contract review & Certificate
issuance with 3 year validity

Maintenence Phase
Recertification Phase
Surveillance Audits at pre
before the completion of the
defined frequency for the
existing certificate validity
period of certificate validity

1.6 Application Process

To get Application / Questionnaire please contact [email protected]

1.7 Audit
Opening meeting – Evaluation of the documentation – Site assessment and interviews of
employees – Creation of the audit conclusions, Closing meeting

Initial Certification Audit is two stages of audit both Onsite, Stage-1 & Stage -2.

The Stage 1 audit, verifies that the system has been designed and developed in accordance with the
organization’s top management commitment to conform with Scheme requirements. The objective of this audit
is to assess the preparedness of the applicant organization to proceed to the stage 2 audit.

The Stage 2 audit substantiates top management’s claim by auditing implementation of the food safety
management system. The activities subject to the proposed certification scopes shall be assessed during the
initial certification audit. Once the gaps / deviation, identified during Stage-1 audit is satisfactory addressed by
Audit site management - Stage -2 audit can be processed

4/5
 Certification Process- ISO 14001

Follow-up Audits (minimum annual surveillance) during the certification period to verify maintenance and
continuous improvement will be conducted

1.8 Non-Conformity
Minor non-conformity - A minor non-conformity shall be issued when the finding does not affect the capability
of the management system to achieve the intended results:

1) When a minor nonconformity is issued during an audit, the organization must provide the CB
with objective evidence of an investigation into causative factors, exposed risks and the
proposed corrective action plan (CAP) within three (3) months after the audit.
2) Corrective action (CA) shall be implemented by the organization within 12 months after the
audit.
3) The CB shall review the design of the corrective action plan, challenge it and approve it when
acceptable.
4) Implementation of the corrective action plan shall be reviewed, at the latest, at the next
scheduled on-site audit. The CB shall review the corrective action plan and determine its
effectiveness of implementation
5) A major nonconformity is raised (on management responsibility and resource allocation) in
the event of non-completion of the approved action plan at the next scheduled on-site audit.

Major nonconformity - A major nonconformity shall be issued when the finding affects the capability of the
management system to achieve the intended results:

1) When a major nonconformity is issued during an audit, the organization must provide the CB with
objective evidence of an investigation into causative factors, exposed risks and the proposed CAP.
This shall be provided to the CB within 90 days after the audit.
2) Corrective action shall be implemented by the organization within 90 days after the audit. The
major nonconformity shall be closed by the CB within a further 90 days after implementation of the
corrective action by the organization. The organization shall submit objective evidence of
implementation to the CB.
3) The CB shall review the corrective action plan and related objective evidence of implementation,
challenge it if necessary and determine its effectiveness and approve the CAP and CA
4) The CB shall conduct a follow-up audit to verify the implementation of the CA to close the major
nonconformity. In cases where documentary evidence is sufficient to close out the major
nonconformity, the CB may decide to perform a desk review.
5) The completion of corrective actions might take more time depending on the potential severity of
the major nonconformity and the amount of work necessary to eliminate the causative factors. In
such cases the CAP shall include any temporary measures or controls necessary to mitigate the
risk until the permanent corrective action is implemented. A follow-up audit shall be conducted to
verify the permanent corrective action and to close the major nonconformity.
6) A Major nonconformity is raised in the event of non-completion of the approved corrective action.

1.9 Transfer of Certification

Transfer of certification is done when the certification being transferred is in good standing, the certificate is
valid and will be valid at the time of audit, all previous audits have been conducted at the appropriate
intervals, there are no outstanding Major CARs and the scope remains the same. Copies of these
documents shall be submitted with the proposal acceptance for further review and process

5/5