Appropriate indicators are selected so that progress can be monitored 4. Management practices are selected or developed to control significant impacts. These practices are written down as formal procedures to allow consistency between operators. Action plans Action plans are developed to set out the tasks, timeframes and responsibilities needed to meet objectives and targets. Once objectives and targets have been established it is important to monitor if they are being achieved and if management procedures are being effectively implemented.
Documentation also enables the system to be independently audited and certified.
Regular self-audits of the EMS show if required management actions are occurring and where improvements need to be made. An annual review of the entire system ensures it continues to meet environmental management goals. Once an EMS is up and running, a business may choose to undergo an independent certification audit so that their claims of environmental responsibility are independently verified. SQF is an internationally recognised system for managing food safety and quality in the agri-food industry. The demand for verified environmental management in agriculture is growing.