Environmental Management System

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a system to manage our environmental performance and reduce our environmental impact. An ISO 14001 certified EMS ensures that we are doing everything in our power to manage our environmental responsibilities. 

Some main components of the Regional District of Nanaimo's EMS include: 

• Creating an Environmental Policy 
• Identifying all legal requirements 
• Identifying and tracking Environmental Objectives and Actions to minimize significant impacts
• Monitoring and auditing to ensure EMS compliance
• Allocating environmental roles and responsibilities
• Creating EMS documentation such as:
  • EMS Policy and Procedure Manual 
  • Operating Procedures Manuals
  • Emergency Response Procedures Manuals

Benefits of an EMS 

An EMS allows us to analyze, control and reduce the environmental impact of our activities, products and services. Some benefits also include: 

• Improved environmental performance
• Reduced pollution and resource consumption
• Reduced liability and improved legal compliance 
• Reduced operational costs and increased operational efficiency
• Fewer environmental and safety related accidents
• Heightened employee environmental awareness and staff involvement 
• Enhanced public trust and confidence in operations and management
• Improved management of population growth and aging facilities

Certification 

ISO 14001 is the standard from the International Organization for Standardization for Environmental Management systems. It is based on a model of continual improvement.  The aim of ISO 14001 is to support environmental protection and prevent pollution in balance with socio-economic needs.  

The RDN’s Wastewater Services Department was first certified to the ISO 14001 standard in August 2005 and maintains its certification. This certification helps to realize our commitment to continued improvement in environmental performance.