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The next major step is to transform the environmental policy and those aspects of the aspects of the organization's activities, products and processes that have significant environmental impacts, into specific objectives and targets. Without these objectives, the environmental policy remains a set of vague generalities that are unlikely to make much difference. An environmental objective is defined in ISO 14001 Clause 3.3 as an "overall environmental goal, arising from the environmental policy that an organization sets itself to achieve, and which is quantified where practicable."
The primary requirement in Clause 4.2.3 of ISO 14001 is to "establish and maintain documented environmental objectives and targets at each relevant function and level within the organization." The objectives and targets that apply can be activity-specific or site-specific. While objectives are long-term goals, targets are short-term steps along the way to meeting the objectives. They should be specific, measurable, and have specific time frames for achievement, where possible.
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