Identification of Environmental Aspects
4. HOW TO IDENTIFY DIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
Direct environmental aspects are connected to activities, products and services on which the organization exercises direct management control. All organizations must examine the direct aspects of their operations, but in the case of non-industrial organizations they will often focus on the indirect environmental aspects of their activities, products and services.
5. INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND HOW TO INFLUENCE
Indirect environmental aspects can originate from the interaction of an organization with third parties who can, to a reasonable extent, be influenced by the organization that requested registration to the EMAS system. For non-industrial organizations, such as local authorities or financial institutions, it is essential to analyze also the environmental aspects related to the main core of activity.
A list that is limited to the environmental aspects of an organization's site and facilities is not considered sufficient.
Direct environmental aspects can be controlled through internal management decisions; in the case of indirect environmental aspects, in order to gain environmental benefits, the organization must be able to affect contractors (and subcontractors), suppliers, customers and users of its products and services, giving proof of being able to use its own weight creative.
The management of indirect environmental aspects can include the following elements (non-exhaustive list):
a) Issues related to the product (design, development, packaging, transport, use and recovery / disposal of waste)
Organizations will be able to consider:
- the available results of the product life cycle analysis;
- the results of the development and use of environmental performance indicators;
- the environmental aspects of the products supplied and the processing of the products;
- the effects deriving in the event of improper use, incorrect recovery or elimination of the products;
- information requirements from the supplier and the consumer, as well as additional information for the customer (eg regarding the use and disposal of products);
- durability and possibility of repairing products, compatibility of existing products with new series of products and spare parts.
b) Investments, loans and insurance services
Organizations will be able to review:
- access policy and insurance premiums (eg, preferential treatment for «green» companies, EMAS registered companies);
- investment policy ("green" investments);
- assessment procedures (reduction of environmental risks);
- loan policy (eg, preferential treatment for 'green' companies, EMAS registered companies);
- the range of products (eg "green" funds).
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