PLUS 1157 (1st ed. pub 2002)

Preface

This is the first edition of CSA Special Publication PLUS 1157, Guide to the Implementation of an EMS for the Primary Agriculture Sector Based on ISO 14001. This Guide has been developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and was prepared by Paul J. Thomassin, Laurie Baker, and Robert Oxley of Environmental Standards Inc. and by CSA staff. The authors and CSA encourage the use of this publication in order to support the continued efforts of agricultural owners and operators to implement environmental management systems for their operations.

Scope

1.1 General

Primary agriculture operations in Canada vary greatly in size from small holdings of a few hectares to extensive ranches of many thousands of hectares. Farms might be family-owned as sole proprietorships or they might be incorporated - in almost every case as nondistributing companies. Regardless of size and ownership, all agricultural operations interact with surrounding environments, including soil, water, and air.

This Guide provides assistance to primary agriculture producers for the development and implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO 14001. Although this Guide attempts to be as comprehensive as possible, ISO 14001 and 14004 should also be consulted.

Note: Appendix A provides a glossary of terms used in this Guide.

1.2 Structure of Guide: Investigate, Define, Plan, Check, Act

Each clause in the Guide covers one of the above headings. For ease of use, the plan component of the implementation has been divided into three sections: investigate, define, and plan. By the end of this Guide, you will have covered all of the elements required by ISO 14001.

Appendices and explanatory materials (set in text boxes) are intended to supply detailed information and add to the Guide's usability. The worksheets included in Appendix B are intended to be used by agricultural owners and operators while developing their EMS. The worksheets should act as outlines for completing the various activities described in the Guide; they are not intended to provide comprehensive methodologies.