In the policy statement, use words that can be audited and connect to significant aspects and impacts. When performing a preregistration audit or gap analysis, if there are many issues of nonconformance, look at the next level up for the cause. One difference between many existing environmental programs and an ISO 14000 EMS is that the program may not be a a system integrated into all parts of the company. The ISO 14000 system spreads environmental responsibility throughout the organization. There are many gray areas in the ISO 14000 standard.
Registrars vary in the way they interpret some things when performing audits.
The nonconformances that are called major findings and what they mean to registration will vary among registrars. So, compare registrars in this area before choosing one. The ISO 14000 EMS is a system where each part is related to and integrated with the others. Environmental aspects , those elements of a company's activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment, are the key to the whole system. Impacts, policy, objectives, training, emergency preparedness, procedures, and documentation must all relate to the aspects.