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The final step in planning is to set up and maintain an environmental management system that can achieve the organization's objectives and targets. According to Clause 4.2.4 of ISO 14001, the organization must: Designate responsibility for achieving objectives and targets at each relevant function and level. Provide the means for fulfilling the objectives and targets. Designate a time frame within which they will be achieved. The EMS details what must be done, by whom, how, and by when. It can be subdivided into individual processes and procedures applicable to sites or facilities within a site. The ISO 14004 guidance standard emphasizes that employees at all levels should be accountable within the scope of their responsibilities, For environmental performance that supports the overall EMS system. Clause 4.2.4 requires the EMS Program to be amended, where relevant, whenever there are new or modified developments. The EMS can be independent or integrated into the overall management system.
A key theme in ISO 14001 is aligning the EMS with other management elements, such as marketing controls, resource allocation, information systems, training and development, measuring and monitoring systems, and communication and reporting programs. One goal of the ISO 14000 process is to make the standards practical for small and medium-size organizations. Avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy for organizations that don't have the resources or personnel to implement the bureaucracy is one way to achieve that goal.
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