3 replies to this topic

[fjusa]

I have an established QMS and am contemplating the implementation of an EMS accept I am not sure if I should integrate the 2 or whether it will be more effective to keep the management systems seperate. Please advise

[Simon]

The late Dave Powley was a great advocate of integrated management systems, he wrote this article for us a while back:

Article on Integrating ISO Based Management Systems

I hold my hands up to never having done it, but the structure of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are similar, are designed for ease of integration, with overlapping requirements. As one example take management review; if you are going to call all the senior team together once or twice a year to review the quality management system it makes sense to have on the agenda the environment management system as well as any other management systems you use to run your business.

Also, when employees are doing their jobs ideally you want them thinking about quality, environmental, health & safety (productivity) and all other criteria that affect the customer, company, colleagues and community (wouldn't that be nice).

In my opinion a holistic approach is best, but probably not dead simple to document. But is that reason enough not to do it?

Regards,

Simon

[fjusa]

The late Dave Powley was a great advocate of integrated management systems, he wrote this article for us a while back:

Article on Integrating ISO Based Management Systems

I hold my hands up to never having done it, but the structure of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are similar, are designed for ease of integration, with overlapping requirements. As one example take management review; if you are going to call all the senior team together once or twice a year to review the quality management system it makes sense to have on the agenda the environment management system as well as any other management systems you use to run your business.

Also, when employees are doing their jobs ideally you want them thinking about quality, environmental, health & safety (productivity) and all other criteria that affect the customer, company, colleagues and community (wouldn't that be nice).

In my opinion a holistic approach is best, but probably not dead simple to document. But is that reason enough not to do it?

Regards,

Simon

Simon,
Thank you that was a great article and certainly a perspective I will be taking into consideration. There are just too many advantages to integration and I think from a manufacturing standpoint - it certainly is going to be a lot easier to train employees by presenting 1 system rather than 2.

Best regards

[Simon]

Thank you that was a great article and certainly a perspective I will be taking into consideration. There are just too many advantages to integration and I think from a manufacturing standpoint - it certainly is going to be a lot easier to train employees by presenting 1 system rather than 2.

No problem, let us know how you get on and if you have further questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Regards,

Simon