Toitū enviromark diamond certification

Toitū enviromark diamond is the ultimate step in the Environmental Management System journey.

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a planned approach to managing environmental impacts. Organisations identify the significant environmental impacts arising from everything they do and then develop plans to prevent or reduce those impacts. The Toitū enviromark programme mentors organisations to develop, implement and maintain an EMS and verifies their work.

Toitū enviromark diamond certified organisations have a robust EMS in place. They have internal systems to ensure that their plans and policies are followed and to identify any opportunities for change and improvement. They have top management commitment to the EMS and its continuing stability.

Toitū enviromark diamond certified organisations exceed the requirements of ISO 14001, one of the world's best known environmental standards.

To achieve Toitū enviromark diamond certification, an organisation:

• Controls all important documentation to ensure only the most up to date versions are being used;
• Has an internal EMS audit programme in operation, ensuring expected outcomes are occurring as planned;
• Periodically has top management review the performance of the EMS;
• Has formalised the roles and responsibilities for people working for and on behalf of the organisation;
• Communicates appropriately both internally and externally;
• Ensures appropriate training is given to people working with the EMS;
• Has documented all procedures relating to managing the system (both system and operational procedures);
• Has a good system for managing problems (non-conformities and opportunities for improvement);
• Has set objectives and targets for driving improvement and has programmes in place to meet those targets;
• Has developed, implemented and tested environmental emergency plans;
• Has identified and evaluated their significant environmental issues arising from activities, products and services;
• Is actively monitoring their ongoing compliance with New Zealand legislation and is ensuring they are aware of any changes to obligations;
• Has produced an environmental policy statement;
• Understands the scope of their EMS (i.e., are there any parts of the organisation that need to be excluded from the EMS and why);
• Exhibits no non-compliances with New Zealand’s applicable health and safety and environmental legislation.