Challenges in implementing a functional ISO 14001 environmental management system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the key findings of a colloquium on ISO 14001. The colloquium focused on three key areas: critical loops and synergies among management system elements, the full spectrum of management system auditing, and integrating management systems. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 40 Canadian experts on environmental management systems from a wide variety of sectors participated in the colloquium. Findings – The colloquium provided insights into implementation issues around the three key areas noted above. The colloquium focused on discussing issues associated with corrective and preventive action, objectives and targets, internal and external auditing, and integrating change into management systems. The issues are presented in detail in the paper. Originality/value – The participants in the colloquium believed that the findings will be of interest to both practitioners and academics in environmental management systems. The findings will also be of interest to practitioners and academics in quality and other standardized management systems.