A management and reporting systems framework under development for sustainability. These developments can give us a picture of what the new millenium s Sustainable Management System needs to look like. As suggested by the figure, these systems overlap, are interdependent and function as an integrated whole. This integrated whole is the Environmental Management System that ISO 14000 contemplates and can also incorporate the social accountability aspects of the SA 8000 approach. These standards, or standards like them, will be the unifying principles of the sustainable management systems needed for 2000 and beyond.
Lets talk just briefly about each of the sub-systems.
The effort must be documented by objective evidence of, at least, a commitment to conform and efforts that demonstrate that commitment. It is the place where we take a holistic look at our Company s operations, determine how to avoid or mitigate our real or potential adverse effects and decide how to manage and document that process. As we answer these questions, we will know what the other subsystems will look like and what our overall management system will be. Before we do that, however, lets take a quick look at where we are going. The Integrator tells the IS what must be documented and what information is, or will be, needed.