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Quality Management System

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ISO9001

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AS9100 Vs AS9110

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AS9100 and AS9110 Benefits

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AS9100 and ISO9001

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Cultural Differences onboard: Challenges, preventions, and solutions

Cultural awareness onboard ship? What is it?  Being apart of modern shipping means working along with others of different ethnicities. Due to the multiculturalism onboard, ships can easily be led to potential misunderstandings or miscommunication issues. To solve these potential issues from happening, shipping companies and operators need to provide cross- cultural training to every crew member before boarding a vessel.

Tackling the challenges of cultural differences onboard can involve many factors such as “safety culture … exert influences on … individual attitudes, values, and team interactions and can lead to positive or negative performance …” Understanding the context of your organization plays a vital role in the effective implementation of the system. Learn more on how to implement an effective system and assess it in our next lead auditor class.

In recent news, several maritime accidents were the result of ineffective communication and misinterpretation onboard of different behaviors, multilingual, and multicultural vessels. To prevent the same thing from occurring, consider taking the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) auditor course with QMII to get a better understanding of how seafarers can tackle the challenges of cultural differences onboard. In this course, students will learn how to take their maritime qualifications to the next level. Not only this aspect, but to understand the significance of maritime safety, security, environment, and shipping.

The diversity within a maritime environment onboard is important because not only does it give crew members a change to be aware of one’s culture, but it also gives an opportunity to for growth by enhancing a well-rounded cultural mindset among life at sea. While working in a profession such as being a seafarer, being able to understand and interact with other cultures is a top priority. Crew members aboard should be able to communicate in maritime English and follow safety regulations. By implementing these practices while taking a lead auditor course, you will be successful in a cultural awareness environment onboard.

Here at QMII, we deliver a unique approach to meet your maritime needs. Our maritime courses cover various aspects of the industry. Our field- experienced instructors will ensure that you receive the proper training when it comes to protecting your organizations maritime environment and understanding that challenges of cultural differences that may arise onboard. Having a diverse workplace can be difficult, but with safety, awareness, and efficiency it can improve.

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P-D-C-A with a Christmas Tree

As a QMII employee, I can sit and observe classes whenever I want, more so since they are virtual instructor led these days. It allows me to get a refresher on the clauses, even though it is so hard to get them. It gets me every time. When the time comes to interview auditees, I smile like a Cheshire cat; not a confident grin but one that hopefully does not betray my nervousness. Often, I am nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. However, my QMII ISO lead auditor training has prepared me well. I am nervous as the auditee too, even though I know audits are not about pass or fail. While I call myself a writer and researcher my greatest struggle perhaps lies with the Audit Report writing. Oh man! QMII lead auditor training, however, well prepared me to gather all notes during an audit to present a valuable report to the auditee. Smile.

The aspect of Lead Auditor training I like is the P-D-C-A cycle, because I can use that analogy anywhere in my life. I have a responsibility of putting up the tree, however, currently, my application of the P-D-C-A is not going so well. Perhaps a re-plan is needed?

So from the Lead Auditor classes that I have attended, P-D-C-A stands for the following and the task next to it is what I have to do:-

P – Planning: We have to put the tree. Also, the objective of my mission. Considerations include where are the decorations kept, do we have enough, do we need a ladder, what should be the first step, then the next (like testing the lights before we put them on the tree) and more. Most important plan the time to do it in my busy schedule!

D – Do: Now to put my plan into action! Locate the boxes, get them out, unpack, and, get my team to help me even if they don’t want to (just to cheer me on perhaps). Yay! Thanks guys, for your help! Thumbs up for that. Basically, everything else that needs to be completed before the tree is finally up and lit up and everyone is happy. The DO stage can be extremely exhausting. How about that drink to cool me down?

Note – From my Lead Auditor training and also when I am auditing my clients, I know that the ‘DO’ section of the process is where a lot of the “action” happens. Just because “you gotta do it, man, get on with it!” I feel the pain of the “Do’ers” as it easy sometimes to plan but more taxing to put the plan into action. Now getting back to my tree.

C - Check: Once the tree is up and you think the job is over, it is not. You have to wait for the others to “check” the tree out and give their opinions. Pass comments, critique your effort while you are bickering away that they didn’t do anything, but they get to analyze it. What was that? Oh yes, I agree it is just an opportunity for improvement and we love our non-conformities.

A – Act: The verdict is out. Tree looks great. Beautiful decorations. However, the lights seem to flicker at some places, we need better lights for next time. Get more decorations. Good job!

VERDICT

Plan it better next time. Stop bickering when you are doing the job. Be patient and stop being a grumpy when they are “checking” and analyzing your work. Continually Improve this process till you get your Act together – words of a wise Yoda who is enjoying the view of the Christmas tree and listening to the Christmas songs.

Can I get that drink now? Long Island please. Merry Christmas!

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Supply Chain Shortage and ISO 28000

In recent news, America has been dealing with a supply chains shortage. The global pandemic had a big impact on this crisis and the situation could get worse. The supply chain is defined as a network of businesses and operations required to get products built and delivered to the hands of consumers. Although it has been over a year since the pandemic, supply chains are still affected. When lockdowns were lifted the demand increased. Supply chains are facing many challenges and struggling to bounce back.

Could we have prevented the supply chain shortage? Most likely not. The Covid- 19 pandemic was unexpected, which affected our supply chain. We can’t prevent unforeseen circumstances, but we can take stronger action to identify and get ahead of vulnerabilities in the supply chain of critical goods. One of the ways we can better supply chain security is by taking an ISO 28000 standard.

What is ISO 28000? ISO 28000 is an international standard which addresses the requirements of a Security Management System (SMS) for the supply chain. ISO 28000helps an organization manage and control security and threats coming from logistical operations and supply chain partners. Here at QMII, we offer an ISO 28000 Lead Auditor training course. An ISO 28000 certification can bring many benefits to your career some of which include improved supply chain performance, greater compliance processes and systematized management practices to name a few.

By have an ISO 28000 certification it can help demonstrate that you are an asset to your organization. ISO 28000 enables you to help the organization in establishing a Security Management System (SMS) which ensures the sufficient management and control of security and threats that come from supply chain partners.

Supply chain shocks are not unexpected. Global production is affected by supply chain shocks occur on average every 3.7 years. This resulted in companies losing 42 percent of one year’s earnings every ten years. We will continue to suffer from disruptions unless we act. Another way to prevent reoccurring issues for businesses is to implement some ways on how to achieve supply chain resilience. What is a resilient supply chain? It is defined by its capacity for resistance and recovery. This means having the capability to resist or avoid impact of a supply chain distribution. ISO 28000 and ISO 22301are two standards that ISO has come up with to improve an organizations supply chain resilience. By taking a course in ISO 28000 and ISO 22301, this will be a solution on how to increase supply chain resilience for the future.

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“I Don’t See Nothing Wrong”

How often have we heard these words within our organization? Often the evidence is right before the persons eyes and they fail to see it. Perhaps in the hope that the failure to acknowledge it will cause it to go away. Across industries “non-conformities” have come to be recognized as something negative, to be done away with quickly. ISO 9001 2015 training teaches us that a non-conformity is the non-fulfillment of a requirement. It is the system that has failed to meet the requirements and not the individual. Admitting to something being wrong takes courage. A well implemented system can reduce the amount of courage it takes to admit to a mistake or an incorrect implemented process.

Why fix it if it ain’t broke

Another common phrase you may hear across your organization. Yet another “this is how it’s always been done”. Humans resist change. It causes them to break out of their comfort zone. A common result of completing an ISO 9001 2015 training is personnel returning to their companies to start the mapping of their processes. In this they may get to hear comments such as those above. Personnel do not want to capture the knowledge in their heads onto a price of paper as it puts their job security at risk. They perceive ISO 9001 as an alien document and the clauses make no sense to them. They do not see the value in audits as auditors are merely seen as policemen out to find fault in what they are doing.

Is everything really good?

Non-conformities that are not reported when they occur do not get effective corrective action taken on them and they “magically” occur again and again. Often times a smaller non-conformity unaddressed may lead to a larger non-conformity down the road. ISO 9001 in clause 10.2 asks organizations to implement systemic corrective action by identifying is similar non-conformities can occur in other areas of the system. It asks organizations to assess the root cause(s). ISO 9001 2015 training provided to personnel will educate them on how to interpret the requirements of the system to tailor it to their organization so the changes can be minimal. Organization can do this by capturing the system as the work is done and not a fictional one. It helps training to be provided to personnel, so they understand their role in the system.

In conclusion ISO 9001 2015 training is not a means to complicate the way work is done but by understanding and implementing a system that captures the “as-is” of the organization the changes can be kept to a minimum and small. Once personnel see how the system benefits them they will learn to admit to things that are going wrong and use a system approach to correct them.

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Which vendors to include in my approved supplier list

Vendors play a critical role in the success of a system however they could also be the cause of significant issue is not adequately controlled. The aerospace quality management standard, AS9100 Rev. D puts the onus on the company using the vendors to determine the type and extent of control they intend to apply to the suppliers (external providers). If deciding to audit vendors, it is helpful to have personnel who have completed an AS9100 lead auditor training to conduct the audits. Trained personnel have an understanding of the requirements of the standard and are therefore able to assess the adequacy of the interpretation of the requirements by the auditee.

In the true spirit of the standard, gurus may question why not to include all vendors. After all it could only benefit the organization from having all vendors evaluated on a periodic basis. However, in some companies this may land up being quite a cumbersome task. AS9100 lead auditor training delivers an understanding of clause 8.4 of AS9100 that deals with the control of externally provided processes/products and services. Further clause 8.4.1 states the following:

“The organization shall determine the controls to be applied to externally provided processes, products, and services when:

a) products and services from external providers are intended for incorporation into the organization’s own products and services;

b) products and services are provided directly to the customer(s) by external providers on behalf of the organization;

c) a process, or part of a process, is provided by an external provider as a result of a decision by the organization.”

In the above it is apparent that the standard is concerned with that which directly impacts the products and services being delivered to the customer. Using the guidance here organizations may accordingly limit which vendors to include on their approved supplier list.

If an organization has an external training provider, they use the provide AS9100 lead auditor training, such as QMII, then perhaps there is no need to have QMII on the approved supplier list though it would be important to evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided per clause 7.2. If the service the company is providing is auditing services then perhaps as part of their control and evaluation they would assess if auditors have completed AS9100 lead auditor training.

In conclusion companies can above and beyond what the standard requires in the true spirit of continual improvement of the system. QMII conducts a PROBITAS Authentication approved 5 day AS9100 lead auditor training. This class is also available in a virtual format.

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ISO 14001: What to know

Everyone deserves to work in an environment where risks to health and safety are properly controlled. An organization's occupational health and safety management system should help to create a healthy and safe environment for workers to prevent serious injuries and to maintain compliance. Identifying health and safety issues is of utmost importance in preventing accidents and putting worker safety first.

Obtaining a certification in ISO 14001 can benefit you and your organization.  Some will ask what does ISO 14001 do and what is it used for? This standard maps out a framework that an organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. An effective management system is an essential system put in place for businesses to behave in an environmentally friendly way. Many organizations these days have been apart of an “ecofriendly” trend.  Being environmentally friendly has many perks such as being cost effective. It can also improve efficiency when it comes to creating an image that customers can relate to. However, an organization can’t claim to be environmentally friendly if they can’t back it up. It is evident that an organization needs to provide proof of their environmental intake. That is where the need for a certification comes into place.

Obtaining an ISO 14001 certification with QMII will benefit you in various ways and give you a better understanding. In our lead auditor training course, you will learn how management systems prevent pollution and assure sustainability. You will learn how to audit systems and processes for conformity and effectiveness. Throughout this learning experience, you will be given the opportunity to use your insights and expertise to reduce the cost of meeting environmental obligations and goals.

Although there are more advantages, there can be disadvantages when it comes to implementing an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). By being an environmentally friendly organization, it can save money, but when it comes to implement it may be costly if it is not done properly. There are alternatives that are more affordable, but they do not offer the same recognition as the ISO 14001 standard. Due ISO 14001 being an international standard and the most widely used EMS in the world, it is more expensive. It is possible that an organization can lose a potential customer if they don’t recognize the certification that is provided. An organization could lose out on money in the long run if they choose the wrong system. It is important to choose wisely when it comes to the budget, needs and expectations when seeking a certification.

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Quality Without Question

As I was driving home from work upon completion of a ISO 9001 2015 training, I noticed the following on the back of an 18-wheeler, “Quality without question”. This got me thinking about the message that was being conveyed. Did the organization mean to convey that their quality was great and should not be questioned? That a customer should take their word just because they say so. For many of us that is exactly what we do when we purchase goods off a grocery shelf. We trust the certified organic and non-gmo ratings that we observe on packaging. But should one question these and how should an organization decide when to?

To check or not to check

ISO 9001 is an internally accepted standard that sets out the requirements for companies looking to implement a quality management system. During the ISO 9001 2015 training, we learned that the standard allows an organization to self-declare many organizations choose to go ahead and pursue certification. This because it demonstrates to the customer an external independent validation by a subject matter expert of the organization’s ability to manage risks and enhance customer satisfaction.

In many cases though these companies are often audited by customers especially in highly critical industries where the margin for error is very small. ISO 9001 in itself does not require companies to audit their suppliers but ask organizations to determine the type and extent of control they intend to apply. In determining the type and extent of control, consideration should be given to the perceived effectiveness of controls by the supplier. Essentially can the system controls be trusted to effectively manage risks and deliver. Should you choose to audit your suppliers make sure your auditors complete ISO 9001 2015 training.

But we don’t have the resources to audit

This is often the case for many small businesses and perhaps even for some governmental organizations that are limited to one or a few suppliers. In these cases, the organization is still obligated to control the externally supplied process, product or service. Companies can do this by monitoring metrics such as on-time delivery, sampling incoming items for conformity and in some cases accepting the external organization certification. No matter the approach used, it does not ever absolve the company of ensuring control of the outsourced process/product/service.

In the case of critical items or a single supplier they may choose to sample a 100% of all items coming in and make a determination over time based on the results if to continue with w large sample size or to reduce it. Here also the aspect of resources plays a part. In cases where the resources cannot be made available the leadership must acknowledge and accept the risk. This also includes the risk of not completing an ISO 9001 2015 training for relevant personnel.

In conclusion

Quality must always be questioned, first internally by the organization itself and checked through its processes. It must also be questioned by the customers on a case-by-case basis. Quality and systems that are left unchecked and unmonitored will over time deteriorate and perhaps result in a major incident/accident. To learn more about the requirements of ISO 9001 join QMII’s next ISO 9001 2015 training.

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International Safety Management (ISM) Code

ISM Code has now stood the test of time, as the fundamental in implementing the process-based management system approach in the maritime industry. All too often, major accidents are the catalyst for change in the maritime industry. Evidence of this is seen in the development and implementation of maritime conventions and codes in existence today. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code, the result of such a catalyst, was meant to change this reactive nature. The ISM Code intended to promote a safety culture wherein risks are properly considered, work is effectively planned, personal accountability is enhanced, and operations are continually improved.

Unfortunately, this target was missed in many cases and a pervasive by-product called compliance culture set in, wherein the system achieves the minimum and only to satisfy regulators. The maritime industry and regulators learned much from this experience. We know now that if the true value of safety management systems (SMS) is not realized, further implementation efforts become self-defeating. This leads to even more than normal resistance from many who have seen colleagues, shipmates and competitors negatively impacted. A carefully planned implementation strategy expanding the use of safety management systems (SMS) to all vessels, domestic or internationally trading therefore be executed to avoid these pitfalls. Within the USA a Safety Management Systems for domestic passenger vessels should be a priority. The use would be as intended in the same way as those for SOLAS vessels. The lessons that have been learned from similar efforts should be used.

Looking at the data from the 1980’s to date, one would expect to see a decline in marine casualties starting in 1998 when the ISM code’s first compliance deadline came into effect. Initially the data shows a downward trend for a few years and then a spike starting in 2001. Those resisting change brought about by the ISM code would argue that the code had not delivered any improvements. However, the upward trend peaked in 2008 and has since seen a decline. When a new management system is put in place, irrespective of industry, the first sign of success albeit non-intuitive, is a spike in accidents, incidents and hazardous occurrences. This leading indicator should be accepted as a positive as it demonstrates that the personnel within the system have started reporting non-conformities that went unreported before. This reporting enables corrective action to be taken in a systematic manner to prevent a similar non-conformity from occurring again. Famous tragic quote from Captain of the MV Titanic: “I will say that I cannot imagine any condition which could cause a ship to founder. I cannot conceive of any vital disaster happening to this vessel.”

In the domestic passenger vessel industry, those against regulations for SMSs will claim that there have only been a few major incidents and therefore not everyone should suffer from more regulation. These few major incidents were identified because they were too large to be missed. Many leading indicators of passenger vessel risk are undetected or unreported (including near misses). As seen with data related to the ISM code, the eventual decline in major occurrences was a result of the sharing of information across companies and countries to improve the maritime transportation system and industry. The corrective actions implemented have led to improved and streamlined inspection regimes, better construction requirements and standardized competency criteria. Naysayers of the ISM Code and Safety Management Systems will also say the Code has only created unnecessary bureaucracy and paperwork. Those familiar with the 12-page ISM Code know that the code does not prescribe this at all. If unnecessary bureaucracy and paperwork are produced, it is likely a function of poor system design, poor implementation, or other external drivers, not the prescription of the Code.

Another common criticism of implementing SMSs is assumed costs. Implementing a SMS, however, need not be expensive. As regulated vessels, domestic passenger vessels already have many relevant safety standards and best practices implemented through industry association recommendations or through compliance with regulations. In the case of passenger vessels, the complexity in implementing the SMS (and therefore the related costs) will depend on the size and structure of the organization, the number of vessels it operates, and the number of employees engaged on each vessel. Smaller companies with a fewer number of vessels (less than five) should be able to implement a SMS within a relatively short period of three to five months, especially with external technical assistance or through the expert advice provided by consultants specializing in the industry.

QMII (www.qmii.com) specializes in maritime work and has over 35 plus years met the objectives of auditing, training and system implementation for maritime companies across the spectrum of domestic, or internationally trading.

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Understanding Clause 4.4 of ISO 14001

On 16th September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was celebrated. Often the importance of the ozone layer is not fully recognized as also the impact that organizations have on this important layer. ISO 14001 training will introduce personnel in the organization to the requirements of ISO 14001 and how implementing an environmental management system will allow an organization to manage its aspects and impacts. Committing to and ISO 14001 conforming environmental management system allows organizations to demonstrate to stakeholders how they will sustainably manufacture products or deliver services.

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard that provides the framework and requirements for implementing an environmental management system. ISO 14001 training provides an understanding of these requirements from a perspective of implementing them within the system as also to auditing the requirements once implemented. The training may be delivered as an overview, for internal auditors and for lead auditors. The training may also be delivered in an onsite or online format and both formats offered by QMII are recognized by Exemplar Global, a globally recognized personnel certification body.

Clause 4.4 of the standard requires organization to determine the processes and their interactions in determining the system needed. The guidance in the annex of the standard further asks organizations to take into account the external and internal issues (context) as determined in clause 4.1 and also the needs of the stakeholder as determined in clause 4.2. the system must identify the risks as determined from Clause 4.1 and 4.2 and then implement the controls the organization deems necessary to mange these risks and to give confidence that the processes are delivering as planned.

As participants in an ISO 14001 training will learn, while there is no requirement to map all the organizational processes, doing so makes it easy to determine the outputs of the processes and thus to determine the aspects and the impacts. From these the significant aspects will be determined. When determining the processes do not forget those that deliver positive environmental impacts. Apart from those required such as a means of complying with regulatory requirement organization may need those to dispose of waste, limiting the impact from a lifecycle perspective including when designing the product/service and selection of suppliers.

ISO 14001 training will in addition to teaching participants the methodology to identify internal and external issues as also determining needs of stakeholders will prepare them to interpret and apply the standard to meet their system requirements. ISO 14001 training also will prepare the leadership to understand their role in enabling the system success and the need for accountability for effectiveness of the system. A good training will allow organizations to tailor the system to what works best for them and not for the auditors.

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Preventing FOD in your system

Those enrolling in an AS9100 lead auditor training seek to gain a good understanding of the requirements of the AS9100 standard so that they may assess the effectiveness of conforming systems. There are numerous requirements prescribed by the standard. Some are prescriptive and other are to be interpreted by the organization implementing the standard.

AS9100 is an internationally recognized standard that defines he framework and requirements for an aerospace quality management system. The standard is based on ISO 9001 as a foundation and the follows the plan-do-check-act approach to management systems. The quality management systems enable organization to demonstrate to external stakeholders their commitment to delivering a conforming product as well as internally to manage operations in a systematic manner to reduce waste and therein costs.

AS9100 lead auditor training enables personnel to perform internal audits of the system as also audits of suppliers to check the extent to which system objectives are being met. One of the requirements of the standard per clause 8.5.1 for operational control requires “the provision for the prevention, detection, and removal of foreign objects”. This is where the requirement for prevention of foreign object damage of FOD comes. The standard is not prescriptive on what needs to be done to prevent FOD but based on the processes/products/services the company must do the needful to ensure a conforming output.

Companies to meet the requirements of FOD prevention implement a variety of measures. In AS9100 lead auditor training students will be introduced to some these measures that companies implement so they can evidence them during an audit. These include awareness training for employees on FOD and how to prevent it, posters across the organization that educate personnel on FOD examples and what to watch for, measures taken to prevent entry of FOD into spaces (checking pockets and shoe protection), floor walks to monitor FOD, care when working on certain items (including configuration control) and QC checks by supervisors.

The AS9100 standard being based on ISO 9001 talks about the risk-based approach to system implementation and therein the need for risk-based thinking. The AS9100 lead auditor training offered by QMII is approved by PROBITAS Authentication and is covered over a period of 5 days. It will address how to conduct an effective audit to the standard as also how to evidence the risk-based approach in the system. The FOD measures implemented by the organization will be equivalent to the risk posed.

The AS9100 lead auditor training can also be done by those seeking to become internal auditors as it covers the entire process of the audit and how to lead an audit successfully.

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Subchapter M documentation

Subchapter M is already in force and close to two years have passed since it was first passed. As with all management systems there is a tendency to over document. Over documentation often happens when organizations do not capture their system the way it works best for them but capture it based upon a template, advise of a consultant or perhaps even based on inputs from the auditor! The latter should be avoided at all costs and in fact the auditor should be advised that it is not their place to recommend.

Let us look at the records keeping requirements of subchapter m for a start. As with the ISM code and ISO 9001 subchapter m does not require a hard copy of all records to be kept. It allows an electronic copy of the records to be maintained provided there is control over the electronic records as well as a way to manage changes to records. 46 CFR 140.915 list the following items to be recorded in the Towing Vessel Record (TVR) or official logbook of the vessel:

• Personnel records – This includes a crew list, including passengers, and the watchkeeping responsibilities assigned to them.

• Safety orientation – This is a record of familiarization being provided to new-joining personnel prior to getting underway for the first time. The record includes the date of the training, topics covered, trainer’s signature and trainee’s signature.

• Record of drills and instruction – This includes a record of drills conducted as required by Subchapter m regulation 140.420. Drills to be conducted as if the emergency were real and record maintained of the type of drill, date of drill and a list of personnel attending.

• Examinations and tests – This include a record of testing of key equipment prior to getting underway

• Operative navigational safety equipment – All vessels required to comply with subchapter m need to have “required navigational-safety equipment in a fully-functioning, operational condition.” When there is a failure of such equipment and subsequent repair records of the same to be maintained in the TVR.

• Navigation assessment – subchapter m requires a navigational assessment to be conducted prior beginning a voyage and then re-assessed at each change of watch to determine any operational risks. Records to be maintained in the TVR of date and time when conducted, the person doing it, and the starting and ending points of the voyage that the assessment covers.

• Navigation safety training – crew members must receive training prior assuming duties related to the safe operation of the vessel. Records must be kept of this training.

• Oil residue discharges and disposals – Records must be maintained of any oil spilled overboard.

• Record of inspection of towing gear – Records to be maintained of type of towing gear and name of person conducting the assessment.

• Fire-detection and fixed fire-extinguishing – Records to be maintained per subchapter m 46 CFR 142.240.

The above is a list of records that need to be maintained. In a subsequent article we will cover the need for additional documentation as required by subchapter m.

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ISO 14001 Training

ISO 14001 training delivers an understanding of ISO 14001 which defines the requirements for Environmental Management Systems. As awareness of the impact of climate change grows there is a growing awareness in the world of the need for carefully using the resources we have. This awareness also includes the need for corporate governance of organizations to ensure that companies operate in an environmentally sustainable manner.

ISO 14001 was published to address the by-products of organizations. ISO 14001 training introduces students to the requirements of the standard and the knowledge of how to interpret and apply these requirements to what their organization does. As with all ISO standards, ISO 14001 is not prescriptive; to allow it to be applied to all types of organizations. The ISO 14001 requirements need to be first interpreted by the organization and then further assessed by the auditors to ensure its suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. ISO 14001 training delivers an adequate understanding of the requirements to ensure effective implementation of the requirements.

Environmental management systems address the environmental risks posed by the various processes of the system. It requires organizations to look at their products/services from a lifecycle perspective. This includes consideration of after life use/disposal of the product. Organizations are required to assess the various aspects of the system and their impact on the environment. The aspects are categorized, and significant aspects need to be addressed on priority.

ISO 14001 training can be tailored for the organization to deliver the appropriate knowledge needed at differing levels of the organization. The Leadership and Senior management need a high-level overview to understand what is expected of them as leadership. Middle manager and auditors must understand how the requirements are interpreted and applied as well as how to audit the system for effectiveness. Other select personnel may be trained as internal auditors to support the lead auditors. Further the entire workforce as appropriate need to receive awareness training on what is the environmental management system and how they can support it.

ISO 14001 is supported by a host of complementary guidance standards. These standards provide guidance on different aspects of the system. ISO 14004:2016 provides general guidelines on implementation and ISO 14040:2006 provides guidelines of the principles and framework for conducting Life Cycle Assessment. While ISO 14001 training may not address all the guidelines specified in these supporting standards it will enable an understanding of the requires of ISO 14001 and how to apply it to what the organization does.