7.1 Resources [ISO 14001 Procedure Template]

What is ISO 14001 Clause 7.1 Resources?

Your organization should identify which resources it needs to ensure the effective operation of the EMS. The company needs to consider human resources, natural resources, infrastructure, technology and the financial resources they need to deliver the product or service. These resources may be internal or external.

ISO 14001 emphasizes the importance of the sufficient resources needed to make the management system viable. These resources are required in order to help the organization achieve its environmental objectives.

Contents

• What is 7.1 Resources?
• Who Is Responsible For Identifying Resources?
• Examples of Resources
  • Human Resources
  • Natural Resources
  • Infrastructure
  • Technology
  • Financial
• 7 Steps To Document Your Resources
• Infrastructure & Natural Resources Procedure [Template download]

Who Is Responsible For Identifying Resources?

The Environmental Manager is responsible for identifying the resources needed, they are familiar with the requirements of the EMS and its' policy.

Examples of Resources

Human Resources

• Special Skilled Workers
• Communication
• Decision-making
• Training and developmental
• Finance
• Organizational
• Business management
• Leadership

Natural Resources

• Oil
• LPG
• Gold
• Plants
• Oxygen
• Water, electricity, gas (for heating)

Infrastructure Resources

• Transportation for materials
• Company vehicles for managers, deliveries, engineers, construction, surveying, sales, personnel transport
• Telecommunications Networks
• Buildings, plants
• Dams
• Electrical Systems
• Machinery

Technology Resources

• Alarm systems, process monitoring equipment
• Printers, Scanners
• PC's, laptops
• Phones, mobile phones, tablets
• Interactive Whiteboards
• Cameras
• Drones

Financial Resources

• Bank Loans
• Cash
• Shares
• Creditors
• Stock in hand

Top management must ensure that individuals with EMS responsibilities are supported with these resources, which can be internal or external.

Please conduct regular site meetings to identify any gaps in skills and personnel resources. Special skilled resources; like IT specialists, Occupational Health, Specialist Engineers etc. are often better outsourced from outside contractors.

7 Steps To Document Your Resources

1. Identify the Resources Required
2. Top Management Awareness & Understanding
3. Effort
4. Business Development & Expansion
5. Permits
6. Budgets & Labour
7. Monitoring& Improvement

#1 – Identify the Resources Required

• Identifying the resource needs of each division
• Identify external suppliers

#2 – Top Management Awareness & Understanding

• The top management of the company must be aware of the resource need under the EMS
• The top management must be made to understand the resource needs of the company

#3 – Effort

• Assess the effort level required for your company’s current required tasks
• Assess the effects of forecasts, current corporate plans, capital expenditure, and production plans

#4 – Business Development & Expansion

• Assess and consider new business development and business forecasting when you evaluate the resources required. This can have a significant impact on the EMS
• Site or infrastructure expansion needs to be considered and planned for in advance
• The process expansion will undoubtedly increase the company's regulatory footprint, which has significant implications for the required resources

#5 – Permits

• Ensure all required environmental operating permits are in place. These will include wastewater, air permits, hazardous materials
• Hazardous chemical handling might require added regulations and permits

#6 – Budgets & Labour

• After the required resources are identified, develop a resource-specific budget for each process
  • Prepare a budget for each need
  • Present the budget to management for approval
  • Keep track of the EMS resource expenditure
  • Ensure the budget is not exceeded
  • Audit regularly to verify that the current resources continue to reflect the company's current needs
• Consider any additional personnel, equipment, machinery, special skills, or external consultants
• Consider all labor requirements and capital expenditures that will be required for running the EMS
• Keep very detailed records on the EMS expenditure for auditing purposes to prove what was spent on EMS-related resources
• Consider designing alphanumerical codes for each EMS category and include higher management and auditors
• Train employees to track and monitor hours, resources, processes, and tasks and enter the relevant data for processing

#7 – Monitoring & Improvement

• Data captured over several years will give you a clear indication of resource allocation, expansion, capital expenditure, and labor/time used
• Be prepared to move resources around if possible to cut costs and ensure the smooth running of all processes
• Regular audits and reviews will provide a blueprint to show if the EMS is effective and is making a difference
• The reviews will indicate whether continuous improvement is in effect under the EMS

Related Information You Might Find Useful

• ISO 9001 — 7.1 Resources
• ISO 45001 — 7.1 Resources
• Video — ISO 14001 Clause 7.1 Requirements | ISO 1400 Resources requirements

Next ISO 14001 Clause

• 7.2 Competence

Each ISO 14001 Clause Explained

• Learn About ISO 14001

Updated: 26th February 2022
Author: Richard Keen

Richard Keen

Richard is our Compliance Director, responsible for content & product development.
But most importantly he is ISO's biggest fanboy and a true evangelist of the standards.
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	QMS ISO 9001	EMS ISO 14001	OH&S ISO 45001
Infrastructure & Natural Resources Procedure The purpose of this procedure is to define your organization’s process for ensuring that suitable facilities, infrastructure and working environments are provided and maintained as required to ensure product conformity. This includes planning, provision and maintenance of employee facilities, workspaces, equipment, software and associated services. Forms & Reports also included: Environmental Aspect & Impact Register Equipment Maintenance & Service Log >> Free Download - Control of Calibrated Equipment Procedure - this will give you a good idea of what to expect when you purchase the procedure. >> I'm looking for more Procedures		$19 USD add to cart

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