NEW QUESTION 39
During a second-party audit at a paper mill, you find that the EMS Manager conducted the environmental risk process. In the environmental aspects register, aspects were listed by emissions to air, releases to water, releases to land and other aspects such as energy consumption and waste disposal. They were categorised as either significant or not significant.
The EMS Manager had an action plan only for significant aspects.
Match each of the following statements of your concerns to a clause of ISO 14001.


Explanation:
* Risks and opportunities were not considered in the determining of environmental aspects: 6.1.1
* A neighbouring generating station was not considered to be an interested party: 4.2
* Deforestation through timber use was considered to be a significant environmental impact: 6.1.2
* The paper mill incorporates the use of recycled paper in its production process: 8.1
* The EMS Manager decided to decrease the number of internal audits in the programme: 9.2.2
* The technical department was working on improving the biodegradation characteristics of the finished product: 6.1.4 In accordance with ISO 14001:2015, audit concerns regarding risk management, stakeholder context, operational controls, and lifecycle planning map to specific requirements:
* Clause 6.1.1 (Actions to address risks and opportunities): Mandates that an organization establish, implement, and maintain processes to determine risks and opportunities related to its environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and other issues.
* Clause 4.2 (Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties): Requires the identification of relevant interested parties, such as neighboring facility operators or local communities, and their specific needs and expectations.
* Clause 6.1.2 (Environmental aspects): Dictates the identification and evaluation of environmental aspects and associated environmental impacts (e.g., raw material extraction and resource depletion like deforestation) from a life-cycle perspective.
* Clause 8.1 (Operational planning and control): Encompasses operational requirements, raw material selections (such as substituting virgin timber with recycled paper content), and controlling processes according to environmental criteria.
* Clause 9.2.2 (Internal audit programme): Regulates the establishment, maintenance, and modification of internal audit frequency, methods, and programme schedules.
* Clause 6.1.4 (Planning action): Mandates planning actions to address significant aspects, compliance obligations, and risks/opportunities, including incorporating life-cycle improvements into product design and technical development.
References: ISO 14001:2015 Clauses 4.2, 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.4, 8.1, 9.2.2, and CQI-IRCA ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Curriculum (EMS Standard Clauses and Scenario Mapping).