ISO 14004: identification of environmental aspects in food industry located in Rio Grande do Sul state

Abstract

Consumers, laws and regulations are increasingly demanding regarding the environmental quality preservation, leading companies to conform their actions to a responsible attitude to the environment. In this sense, emphasis is added to seeking certifications related to the implementation of Environmental Management Systems (EMS). To implement an EMS, the ISO 14004 standard guides the organization to to know its environmental aspects and its resulting impacts, aimed at continuous improvement of environmental quality. In view of this, through interviews, legal requirements verification and direct observation, an investigation was carried out on the relevant environmental aspects of a food industry located in the South of Rio Grande do Sul. Easily perceived in the company studied that an EMS could be implemented, because the company has been concerned to comply with the applicable legal environmental requirements. However, better internal systematization would be necessary in order to get the full qualification of its environmental management.Consumers, laws and regulations are increasingly demanding regarding the environmental quality preservation, leading companies to conform their actions to a responsible attitude to the environment. In this sense, emphasis is added to seeking certifications related to the implementation of Environmental Management Systems (EMS). To implement an EMS, the ISO 14004 standard guides the organization to to know its environmental aspects and its resulting impacts, aimed at continuous improvement of environmental quality. In view of this, through interviews, legal requirements verification and direct observation, an investigation was carried out on the relevant environmental aspects of a food industry located in the South of Rio Grande do Sul. Easily perceived in the company studied that an EMS could be implemented, because the company has been concerned to comply with the applicable legal environmental requirements. However, better internal systematization would be necessary in order to get the full qualification of its environmental management.