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Environmental Management Systems

ISO14001:2004 | EMAS | BS8555:2003 | OSHSAS 18001

Energy Management Systems

I.S. EN16001/2009

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DIRECTIVE	2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy
Official Journal	L 327 , 22/12/2000 P. 0001 - 0073
Short Title	Water Framework Directive
Description	Relates to planning for protection and improvement of all waters, including surface water, groundwater, coastal and transitional waters. The directive deals also with artificial water bodies – such as canals – as well as waters whose character is substantially changed by human activity - referred to as heavily modified water bodies (HMWBs).
Key terms used in the act	Inland waters:all standing or flowing water on the surface of theland, and all groundwater on the landward side of the baseline from which+ the breadth of territorial waters is measured. Surface water: inland waters, except groundwater, transitional waters and coastal waters, except in respect of chemical status, for which territorial waters are also included. Groundwater: all water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil. Transitional waters: bodies of surface water in the vicinity of river mouths which are partly saline in character as a result of their proximity to coastal waters but which are substantially influenced by freshwater flows. Coastal water: surface water on the landward side of a line every point of which is at a distance of one nautical mile on the seaward side from the nearest point of the baseline from which the breadth of territorial waters is measured, extending where appropriate up to the outer limit of transitional waters. River basin: the area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a sequence of streams, rivers and, possibly, lakes into the sea at a single river mouth, estuary or delta. River basin district: the area of land and sea, made up of one or more neighbouring river basins together with their associated groundwaters and coastal waters, which is identified under Article 3(1) as the main unit for management of river basins.
Implemented by	S.I. 722/2003 European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003
River Basin District - Copies of the draft plans are available on the websites of each River Basin District.	Shannon International River Basin District South East River Basin District South West River Basin District Eastern River Basin District Western River Basin District North Western International River Basin District Neagh Bann International River Basin District North Eastern River Basin District View Map of River Basin districts 42kB

DIRECTIVE	2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
Official Journal	OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 84–97
Short Title	Priority Substances Directive - Surface Waters
Description
Implemented by	S.I. No. 272/2009 — European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009
Parameters	pdf 231kB

DIRECTIVE	98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption
Official Journal	OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32–54
Short Title	Drinking Water
Description	Relates to quality of water intended for human consumption
Implemented by	S.I. No. 278/2007— European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007
These Regulations prescribe quality standards to be applied, and related supervision and enforcement procedures in relation to supplies of drinking water, including requirements as to sampling frequency, methods of analysis, the provision of information to consumers and related matters.
Section 1 Parameters for which Methods of Analysis are Specified Section 2 Parameters for which Performance Characteristics are Specified Section 3 Parameters for which no Method of Analysis is Specified
Drinking Water Standards Parametric Values	pdf 179kB	html

DIRECTIVE	Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration
Offical Journal	2006/118/EC L 372/19, 27.12.2006 2000/60/EC OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1–73
Short Title	Groundwater
Description	This new directive establishes a regime which sets underground water quality standards and introduces measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. The directive establishes quality criteria that takes account local characteristics and allows for further improvements to be made based on monitoring data and new scientific knowledge.
Implemented by	S.I. No.9 of 2010 - European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010
Parametrs & Values	pdf 153kB

DIRECTIVE	2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Councilof 15 February 2006 concerning the management of bathing water quality and repealing Directive 76/160/EEC with effect from 31 December 2014.
Official Journal	OJ L 64 of 4.3.2006
Short Title	Bathing Water
Description	Relates to quality of water for bathing and protection of bathing areas by their designation
Implemented by	S.I. No. 155/1992— Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992 S.I. 79/2008 Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008
Parameters & Quality Values	PDF 180KB

DIRECTIVE	2006/113/ECof the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the quality required of shellfish waters
Official Journal	OJ L 376 of 27.12.2006 P. 0014 - 0020
Short Title	Shellfish
Description	The Directive concerns the quality of shellfish waters, i.e. the waters suitable for the development of shellfish (bivalve and gasteropod molluscs). It applies to those coastal and brackish waters which need protection or improvement in order to allow shellfish to develop and to contribute to the high quality of shellfish products intended for human consumption.
Implemented by	S.I. 268/2006 European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations 2006 S.I. No. 55/2009 — European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) (Amendment) Regulations 2009
Shellfish Waters Mandatory & Guide Values	pdf 114kB

DIRECTIVE	91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources
Official Journal	OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1–8
Short Title	Nitrates
Description	Relates to management of farm wastes and run off to protect surface water and groundwater
Implemented by	S.I. No. 101/2009— European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 These Regulations revoke, and re-enact with amendments, the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, 2006 and 2007. These Regulations come into effect on 31 March 2009. These Regulations provide strengthened statutory support for the protection of waters against pollution from agricultural sources e.g. by phosphorus or nitrogen. The Regulations require the avoidance of careless practices by farmers, which create a risk of causing pollution and provide for inspections by local authorities.
EU Fact Sheet	Fact sheet on the Nitrates Directive 427kB

DIRECTIVE	86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture
Official Journal	L 377 , 31/12/1991 P. 0048 - 0054
Short Title	Sewage Sludge in Agriculture
Description	Provides for disposal of sewage sludge to agricultural lands
Implemented by	S.I. No. 267/2001— Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations, 2001
Parameters & Quality Values	pdf 72kB

DIRECTIVE	2006/11/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 February 2006 on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community
Short Title	Dangerous Substances (replaces 76/464/EEC)
Description	Defines Standards for Phosphorus in waters Control of discharges to the aquatic environment
Implemented by	S.I.684/2007 Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007

DIRECTIVE	91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 amending Directive 75/442/EEC on waste
Short Title	Waste Directive (replaces 75/442/EEC)
Description	Provides for prevention of odour and noise emissions from wastewater treatment facilities
Implemented by	S.I. 787/2005 European Communities (Waste Water Treatment) (Prevention Of Odours And Noise) Regulations 2005

DIRECTIVE	98/15/EC of 27 February 1998 amending Council Directive 91/271/EEC with respect to certain requirements established in Annex I thereof
Short Title	Urban Wastewater (replaces 91/271/EEC)
Description	Provides standards for treatment for urban waste water
Implemented by	S.I. 254/2001 Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 S.I. 440/2004 Urban Waste Water Treatment (Amendment) Regulations, 2004
Parameter & Quality Values	pdf 81kB

DIRECTIVE	74/440/EEC of 16 June 1975 concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States These Regulations prescribe quality standards and methods and frequencies of analysis for surface fresh water used or intended for use in the abstraction of drinking water. The Regulations give effect to Council Directives No. 75/440/EEC
Official Journal	OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 26–31
Short Title	Drinking Water Abstraction Directive
Description	Defines various quality standards for waters for abstraction of potable supplies
Implemented by	S.I. 294/1989 European Communities (Quality Of Surface Water Intended For The Abstraction Of Drinking Water) Regulations, 1989
Quality Standards & Parameters	pdf 148kB

DIRECTIVE	78/659/EEC of 18 July 1978 on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life
Official Journal	OJ L 222, 14.8.1978, p. 1–10
Short Title	Fresh water fish
Description	Defines quality standards for surface waters to protect fish life
Implemented by	S.I. No. 293/1988 — European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, 1988.
Quality Values	PDF 112kB

DIRECTIVE	2003/40/EC of 16 May 2003 establishing the list, concentration limits and labelling requirements for the constituents of natural mineral waters and the conditions for using ozone-enriched air for the treatment of natural mineral waters and spring waters
Official Journal	L 126 , 22/05/2003 P. 0034 - 0039
Short Title	Bottled Water
Description	These Regulations set certain requirements in respect of the exploitation, treatment, packaging and marketing of bottled waters and also include requirements in relation to labelling and various parametric values.
Implemented by	S.I. No. 225 of 2007 European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007
Paramaters & Quality Values	pdf 245kB

Air Quality Standards

Air Quality Standards in S.I. No 244 of 1987.

Air Quality Standards for Sulphur Dioxide
Air Quality Standards for Suspended Particulates
Air Quality Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide
Air Quality Standards for Lead

New Air Quality Standards in S.I. No.271 of 2002.

Air Quality Limit Values and Alert Thresholds Stipulated in the Air Quality Standard Regulations (S.I. No. 271 of 2002).
Limit Values for Sulphur Dioxide
Limit Values for Nitrogen Dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen
Limit Values for Particulate Matter
Limit Values for Lead
Limit Values for Benzene
Limit Values for Carbon Monoxide

DIRECTIVE	96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and management
Official Journal L	296 , 21/11/1996 P. 0055 - 0063
Short Title	Air Quality Framework Directive
Description	Provides standards for ambient air quality
Implemented by	S.I. 271/ 2002

DIRECTIVE	2004/107/EC
Short Title	Air Quality Standards
Description	Relates to standards for Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel and PAHs
Parameter Guideline Values	S.I. 271/2002 - Schedule
Implemented by	S.I. 58/2009

DIRECTIVE	1999/32/EC
Short Title	Sulphur content of gas oil
Description	Prescribes levels of sulphur in heavy fuels and gas oils
Implemented by	S.I. 119/2008

DIRECTIVE		2004/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products and amending Directive 1999/13/EC
		OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 87–96
Short Title		VOC Paints Directive
Description		Limits emissions of VOCs from painting processes
For the paints, the Directive sets up two sets of limit values for the maximum contents of VOCs in grammes per litre of the product ready for use. The first set of limit values shall apply from 1 January 2007. The second, and stricter, set of limit values apply from 1 January 2010. See Annex II A. For vehicle refinishing products there is only one set of limit values for the VOC contents, which applies from 1 January 2007. See Annex II B.
Implemented by		S.I. 199/2007
DIRECTIVE	97/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1997 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery
Official Journal	Official Journal L 059 , 27/02/1998 P. 0001 - 0086
Short Title	Air pollution from non-road motors
Description	Relates to provision of efficient motors in non road machinery
Implemented by	S.I. 147/2007

DIRECTIVE	2003/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 March 2003 amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels
Official Journal	L 076 , 22/03/2003 P. 0010 - 0019
Short Title	Air Pollution
Description	Specification for diesel and petrol fuels
Parameter Guideline Values	S.I. 541/2003 - Schedule
Implemented by	S.I.202/2004

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Environmental Management Systems

ISO 14001:2004
Environmental Management System specification developed by the International Standards Organisation (ISO). ISO 14001:2004 provides a framework for an organisation to control the environmental impact of its activities, products and services.

This International Standard is beneficial for any organisation that wishes to

establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system.
assure itself and other parties of conformity with its stated environmental policy.
demonstrate conformity with this International Standard by seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an accredited auditing body.

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EMAS - Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
EMAS is the EU’s voluntary scheme designed for companies and other organisations committing themselves to evaluate, manage and improve their environmental performance.

It is defined by Regulation No.1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) [1.49MB]

The aim of EMAS is to recognise and reward those organisations that continuously improve their environmental performance and go beyond their minimum legal compliance.

EMAS provides organisations with a quality label for voluntary environmental management, internal efficiency, environmental communication and transparency.
EMAS is a symbol of environmental excellence
EMAS is a clear and verifiable way of showing commitment to improving environmental performance.
EMAS provides a systematic framework for setting targets, and measuring, monitoring and reporting on performance.
EMAS helps to obtain a more sustainable use of resources
EMAS assists with the communication of information on environmental performance and can add considerable value and improve market reputation.

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Comparsions EMAS and ISO 14001:2004 [3.76MB]

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BS 8555:2003 -  Guide to the phased implementation of an environmental management system including the use of environmental performance evaluation.
This standard developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI) specifies a phased system for the implementation of an Environmental Management System and has been designed with small to medium-sized businesses specifically in mind. It breaks down the process of gaining ISO 14001 or EMAS into six clear steps. It provides an SME with a phased approach to implementing an EMS and gives them better control over the process.

The six phases of BS 8555:

Commitment and establishing the baseline
Identifying and ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements
Developing objectives, targets and programmes
Implementation and operation of the EMS
Checking, audit and review
EMS acknowledgement (getting ISO 14001 and/or EMAS)

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OHSAS 18001: 2007
This is an international occupational health and safety management system. It is complimentary to and, intended to be used in conjunction with, ISO 14001 It would be an aid to business (especially in the pharmachem, food and engineering sectors) seeking an auditable, certifiable system as an effective control of health and safety in the workplace.
OHSAS 18001 has been developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System)and ISO 14001 Environmental management systems standards, in order to facilitate the integration of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems by organizations, should they wish to do so.

What are the benefits of OHSAS 18001 registration?

Customer satisfaction - through delivery of products that consistently meet customer requirements whilst safeguarding their health and property
Reduced operating costs - by decreasing down-time through incidents and ill health and reducing costs associated with legal fees and compensation
Improved stakeholder relationships - by safeguarding the health and property of staff, customers and suppliers
Legal compliance - by understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact the organization and its customers
Improved risk management - through clear identification of potential incidents and implementation of controls and measures
Proven business credentials - through independent verification against recognized standards
Ability to win more business - particularly where procurement specifications require certification as a condition to supply

Click here for further information on Environmental Management Systems

Energy Management Standard

I.S.EN 16001:2009
The European Standard EN 16001:2009 has been adopted in Ireland as I.S. EN16001:2009 [777kB]. It sets out the requirements for an Energy Management System (EMS) and has been developed to assist organisations to improve their energy efficiency in a logical, controlled and systematic way. It is aimed at those businesses that have a significant energy usage to help them achieve more efficient management of this resource. This standard supersedes I.S. 393:2005. All companies who are currently registered to I.S. 393 are required to transition to I.S. EN 16001 By 7th July 2010.

IS EN 16001:2009 applies to any organisation that wishes to

Improve energy performance in a systematic way.
Establish, implement, maintain and improve an energy management system.
Ensure that it conforms to its stated energy policy.
Demonstrate such conformance to others.
Seek certification of its energy management system by an external organisation.
Make a self-evaluation and self-declaration of conformance with the standard.

The benefits of implementing I.S. EN 16001

energy cost savings
reduced greenhouse-gas emissions
reduced carbon footprint
increased energy awareness among staff
greater knowledge of equipment efficiencies
informed decision-making processes
structured approach to the Right First Time methodologies
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14 July 2010