Risk and Control Environmental Issues Key Issues 1.1 Has an approved and documented environment policy been established which defines the required approach for business operations?

1.2 What measures ensure that the principals of the environmental policy are complied with, and how would non-compliance be promptly detected?

1.3 Have production processes and other business activities been assessed for their environmental impacts (and how is the necessary corrective action evidenced)?

1.4 How does management ensure that all the relevant environmental legislation and regulations are fully complied with, thus avoiding penalties and adverse effects on the organization’s public image?

1.5 How can management be assured that all waste products are correctly and safely treated, discharged or disposed of?

1.6 What measures prevent the pollution and contamination of the environment?

1.7 Are the organization’s products assessed for ‘environmental friendliness’ (i.e. impact during production/use, potential to be recycled, safe disposal at end of product life, restricted use of scarce resources, etc.)?

1.8 Has management actively considered alternative and less environmentally harmful production/business processes?

1.9 Are measures in place which ensure that all environmental impacts are identified, monitored and effectively managed (and what is the evidence for this)?

1.10 Has management established a ‘recycling’ policy and if so, how is compliance confirmed?
1.11 Have the full costs of adopting an environmental approach to the business been accurately identified, justified and authorized (and are they subject to monitoring and review)?
Detailed Issues 2.1 Is the environmental policy supported by the commitment of senior management and a suitable staff training/awareness programme?
2.2 Are all projects to reduce the impact of business activities on the environment subject to a full feasibility and cost appraisal, before being authorized?
2.3 Is the assessment of environmental impacts kept up-to-date in order that management action is relevant and targeted?
2.4 Where required, have measurements of environmental impact (i.e. water discharge, fume extraction, waste materials, etc.) been established (and are they checked for accuracy)?
2.5 How can management be certain that they remain aware of all the relevant environmental legislation and regulations?
2.6 Has a responsibility for environmental management been defined and allocated?
2.7 What measures ensure that all waste products are identified, assessed for their environmental impact, and appropriately treated/processed?
2.8 Are all discharges of waste products subject to monitoring and permitted within the prevailing regulations (and how would non-compliance be detected)?
2.9 How can management be sure that all waste product treatment processes are operating correctly and efficiently?
2.10 Would management be made aware of all accidental and unintentional spillages of potentially harmful materials?
2.11 Are contingency plans and resources in place to effectively deal with the likely range of environmental accidents?
2.12 How can management be assured that waste disposal sites and operators are appropriately licensed to handle the specific by-products generated by the organization?
2.13 Whenever necessary, are management considering utilizing alternatives to either hazardous or scarce materials as a means of reducing the environmental impacts?
2.14 Are the potential long-term environmental liabilities adequately assessed for both newly acquired sites and those being disposed of?
2.15 Are environmental impact audits regularly conducted by appropriately experienced personnel and are their findings and recommendations effectively followed up?
2.16 Does the design and development of new products take into account the potential environmental impact of production, and what measures ensure that such impacts are minimized and contained?
2.17 Are the operating costs of any ‘recycling’ programmes monitored, and are such programmes assessed for their effectiveness?
2.18 How does management verify that the adopted environmental approach is justified (on cost or company image grounds)?
2.19 Has management reviewed the type of packaging in use as the basis for adopting alternatives with a reduced environmental impact?

2.20 In the event of an environmental problem, are mechanisms in place to deal effectively with media and public relations, so that the reputation of the organization will be protected?
2.21 How is the accuracy of data input from other systems (e.g. new product development or design) confirmed?
2.22 How is the accuracy of data output to other systems (e.g. industry regulation and compliance) confirmed?